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Benitez sees Luton game as opportunity to regroup

"We are looking forward to the game and it will be good for a team like Luton to play Liverpool."

Rafa Benitez, Liverpool manager

Rafa Benitez believes Liverpool's FA Cup tie at Luton today represents the perfect chance to get their season back on course.

Benitez's side hit a sticky patch over the Christmas period as draws against Manchester City and Wigan left their title challenge in tatters.

Liverpool are 12 points behind Premier League leaders Arsenal and have already been knocked out of the League Cup, so defeat in this weekend's third round tie against League One Luton is unthinkable for Benitez.

Losing to a team struggling at the foot of English soccer's third tier would be a major blow to morale at Anfield. All the more so for Benitez, who knows he has to deliver silverware after an undignified spat with George Gillett and Tom Hicks, the club's American owners, late last year.

The Reds' erratic form has left Benitez looking more vulnerable than at any time during his three and a half year reign, but he believes the world's oldest cup competition can provide the boost his squad needs to recover their league form.

"For me, our supporters and my players it's really important to win every trophy, especially the FA Cup," Benitez said. "It is a fantastic competition and everybody around the world can see how great it is."

"We want to win it. I don't think about what other people say and we want to win this trophy," he said.

Benitez will have to find a way past Luton without his inspirational captain Steven Gerrard, who is ruled out with a calf injury. Defenders Alvaro Arbeloa and Fabio Aurelio are also sidelined, while Sami Hyypia and Daniel Agger face late fitness tests.

At least Liverpool can can call on recent experience to help them. Benitez's side recovered from 3-1 down to beat Luton 5-3 in the same round of the competition in 2006.

Xabi Alonso's stunning strike from inside his own half capped that crazy afternoon. Benitez wants the same result without the need for such a heart-stopping comeback.

"It was a very exciting game and I remember Xabi Alonso's fantastic goal. We are looking forward to the game and it will be good for a team like Luton to play Liverpool," he said.

After being hit with a 10 point penalty for going into administration, Luton slumped into the relegation zone.

But manager Kevin Blackwell has cajoled some good results from his side recently and a run of three wins from four matches will send them into the Liverpool game in good heart.

"All we can do is keep playing the same way we have been. We have looked good in recent weeks and our cup form has been good," Blackwell said.

"We have got nothing to lose. If we win it will be a phenomenal achievement and if we lose then everyone thought it would be the case," he said.
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