7 January 2006
Luton Town 3-5 Liverpool

Watch the highlights from a stunning FA Cup tie, including Xabi Alonso scoring from within his own half.

Luton Town v Liverpool
The FA Cup sponsored by E.ON
Third Round Proper
4pm, Sunday 6 January 2008
Live on Sky Sports
Winning clubs receive £40,000
The FA Live TV fee is £150,000 per club
Click here for fixtures

Liverpool and Luton served up a Third Round classic when they met two years ago and football fans all over the country will be hoping for a similar treat on Sunday.

The two teams shared eight goals in 2006, some of them stunning, particularly Xabi Alonso's 60 yarder, as Liverpool came from 3-1 down to win 5-3. 

Indeed, such was Liverpool's resilience and efficiency in front of goal that their supporters probably left Kenilworth Road that Saturday evening wondering if their name was on The Cup. It was, but only after a thrilling Final with West Ham.

The Reds were on the rack for much of the first hour at Luton, the hosts relishing the chance to pit their wits against the then European Champions.

But Steven Gerrard, hero of Istanbul, handed his side a glorious opener on 16 minutes. Djibril Cisse and Peter Crouch linked to lay the the ball on for Gerrard to whip in from the edge of the box, curling over Marlon Beresford and into the net.

The Hatters didn't drop their heads and replied through Steven Howard. Following a neat move in Liverpool territory, Luton cut open their opponents before Howard took the ball around Scott Carson and poked home into the net.

Just before the break, Luton made their hard work count when a ball into the feet of Steve Robinson saw the skilful forward turn Jamie Carragher inside the box and he fired low into the bottom corner of the net to give Mike Newell's Championship outfit a 2-1 lead.

Luton's fans were in winter wonderland on 53 minutes after Rowan Vine dispossessed Sami Hyypia inside the Reds' half, homed in on goal before being felled by Carson. Kevin Nicholls dispatched with confidence to send Kenilworth Road into raptures.

Rafa Benitez responded by throwing on Florent Sinama Pongolle and the Frenchman delivered, latching on to Gerrard's through ball before driving under Beresford to set up an exciting final 30 minutes.

Alonso hauled his side level with a wonderful 35-yard shot which dipped over the head of Beresford and under the bar.

With Liverpool on the rampage, Pongolle nodded Liverpool ahead to leave the stage set for Alonso.

With the match running away from Luton, a corner encouraged Beresford forward, dreaming of Cup headlines. But as the move broke down, Alonso carried the ball forward and from deep inside his own half, the Spanish midfielder took aim with his left foot.

Players - Gerrard was seething at not receiving a pass - and fans alike could only watch on as the ball rolled into the Luton goal.

Luton Town: Beresford, Foley, Coyne, Heikkinen (Barnett 74), Underwood, Edwards (Feeney 81), Nicholls, Robinson, Brkovic (Showunmi 81), Howard, Vine. Subs Not Used: Morgan, Brill.

Liverpool: Carson, Finnan, Hyypia, Carragher, Riise, Kewell, Gerrard, Sissoko (Sinama Pongolle 57), Alonso, Crouch (Kromkamp 79), Cisse (Warnock 89). Subs Not Used: Hamann, Reina.

Attendance: 10,170

Referee: Mark Clattenburg