The FA Cup has given us some classic encounters down the years, none more so than Liverpool's dramatic 5-3 victory at Kenilworth Road last Saturday. At 3-1 up, the Hatters must have been dreaming about pulling off a major cup shock but the European Champions once again showed their undoubted resolve when it mattered most, fighting back to score four goals in the last 30 minutes to book their place in the fourth round. Givemefootball's Mark Shail caught up with Northern Ireland international Warren Feeney to get his thoughts on that memorable game at the weekend.
Q:HOW DO YOU REFLECT ON THAT DEFEAT LAST SATURDAY?
A:It was a great match and I think we gave a good account of ourselves against a great team that are currently the European champions. When the draw initially came out for the Liverpool game we still had six league games to play over the Christmas period, but in the back of our minds all the players have had one eye on this tie for a long time.
Q:AT 3-1 UP YOU MUST HAVE THOUGHT MOST OF THE HARD WORK HAD BEEN DONE?
A:Yes we did, we scored three good goals against a side with a fantastic defensive record, so for us to do that was phenomenal really. For the first 60 minutes we made it very difficult for them and from a neutral point of view it was probably a great game to watch. But in the end we've got to be disappointed because we felt it was there for the taking.
Q:IS IT FAIR TO SAY LUTON RAISED THEIR GAME FOR THIS TIE?
A:I think we needed to and one of the pleasing things was that we were able to compete against a quality team like Liverpool. But we need to learn to see off games when we're in front, because to be 3-1 up and eventually go on to lose 5-3 is frustrating.
Q:WHAT WAS THE ATMOSPHERE LIKE IN THE DRESSING ROOM AFTER THE MATCH?
A:Everyone was disappointed. To score three goals against a side like Liverpool and come away with nothing is tough to take. There were a few words said in the dressing room afterwards, but now we've got to build on that performance and look to improve our position in the Championship.
Q:YOU CAME ON AS A SECOND HALF SUBSTITUTE AGAINST LIVERPOOL, WERE YOU DISAPPOINTED NOT TO START THE GAME?
A:I was because as a player you want to start every match, especially big FA Cup games against the Champions League holders. But at the end of the day I've got to get my head down and win my place back in the side – and that starts with me playing in a reserve game against Tottenham later today.
Q:AND IT'S BACK TO LEAGUE ACTION THIS WEEKEND AT WOLVES?
A:They've been going well this season and it's always tough to go to Molinuex and come away with points. But hopefully we will take some confidence from that Liverpool game, even if the result didn't go our way in the end. We've been pretty consistent at home all season but we've got to start picking up more points away from Kenilworth Road.
Q:IS IT FAIR TO SAY LUTON'S LEAGUE FORM HAS DIPPED A LITTLE AFTER A GREAT START?
A:We started off like a house on fire this season, which was important when you go into a new division – the last thing you want top do is have a bad start and find yourself trying to play catch-up. The side has been playing well enough recently - we just haven't been able to kill off teams when we've been on top. If we can just be a bit more clinical I'm sure the results will come.
