Liverpool 5-2 Havant & Waterlooville

Jan 27 2008 Gordon Scott Reports

THE HAVES were embarrassed by the Havant as Liverpool struggled into the last 16.

Tiny non-league outfit Havant & Waterlooville twice led their superstar opponents at Anfield before running out of steam in the second half.

The biggest cup shock of all time looked on the cards when the Conference South side led 2-1 but a half-time rollicking from Rafael Benitez had the desired effect and Liverpool ran out easy winners.

Havant boss Shaun Gale was proud of his players and said: "We were magnificent and a standing ovation from the Liverpool support at the end was deserved.

"People laughed when we said we were going to come here and have a go but we did just that. I'd told them we were not here for a jolly-up, we can have a party afterwards.

"If you defend against a team like this you will be murdered and we were not murdered."

Relieved Benitez said: "Credit to them, they did everything they could and when they scored early it gave them a lot of hope.

"We were disappointing in the first half but in the second period we believed they could not keep up their high tempo and that is how it turned out."

Liverpool fans applauded every Havant player's name when they were announced and the non-league club's support sung along with You'll Never Walk Alone.

Havant showed no nerves early on and Rocky Baptiste saw a shot deflected wide.

Amazingly, the part-timers took the lead in the eighth minute when Richard Pacquette headed home Mo Harkin's corner. Pool were stunned and fans of the non-league club went crazy.

Even home fans packed in to the Kop cheered loudly but their anxiety grew as Havant almost scored again. Charles Itandje twice fumbled as Harkin's freekick flew around the box before Shaun Wilkinson hooked over.

Havant had led for 16 minutes before Ryan Babel laid the ball back to Brazilian Lucas to curl into the top corner from 25 yards.

But Havant were ahead again on the half hour when Alfie Potter took advantage of a blunder by Steve Finnan and fired in a shot that deflected off Martin Skrtel and wide of Itandje.

Havant lost plumber Phil Warner with a leg injury five minutes before the break and on came dustman Tony Taggart.

And what happened next was rubbish. Jermaine Pennant set up Yossi Benayoun who fired home a right-footer.

Benayoun blasted the Reds ahead for the first time in 55 minutes and completed his hattrick just before the hour.

Steven Gerrard came on and set up Peter Crouch for a tap-in a minute from time.

Havant's dream was over.