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A NEW EXPERIENCE: Havant & Waterlooville are used to the modest confines of their Westleigh Park homeground (average attendance: 606). Anfield (45,362) will be vastly different. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
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LONDON - WHAT are the odds that an assortment of plumbers, trash collectors and taxi drivers will cause the biggest upset in the 136-year-old FA Cup by beating Liverpool, the seven-time winners?
100-1, the longest odds ever offered for an FA Cup-tie. The romantics out there might just be tempted.
Today, semi-pro side Havant and Waterlooville take on the five-time European champion at the Reds' famous Anfield Stadium.
'It's like the World Cup final for us,' team captain Jamie Collins said.
Shaun Gale insists his men are not just showing up for a nice day out.
'Anything is possible in football,' the manager said. 'We will be going out to win like we do every game.'
That is, if they survive the culture shock: Havant's average home attendance is 606.
Their biggest crowd was the 4,400 who watched the 3-1 third-round victory over League One leaders Swansea.
While some of Liverpool's pros earn more than £100,000 (S$280,000) a week, the Havant players earn their living doing other jobs and play for the team in their spare time.
While Havant paid £500,000 to bring their Westleigh Park Stadium up to the standard required to get them up to the Conference division, Liverpool will spend at least £300 million on a new 71,000-seater ground.
American co-owner Tom Hicks unveiled the design yesterday, saying: 'Liverpool supporters should have high expectations for the future.'
He and George Gillett have secured a refinancing package to keep the Premier League club in their hands, although the fans have been turning against them.
Hicks hopes to regain their favour by paying £17million to secure midfielder Javier Mascherano.
And, by assuring popular manager Rafael Benitez - whom he undermined by approaching former Germany coach Jurgen Klinsmann with a view to replacing the Spaniard - that his job is safe.
But that is for another day. Today belongs to Havant and south-coast neighbour Waterlooville, who merged 10 years ago.
If there is one Havant player who sums up the gulf between the haves and have-nots in English football, it is Tony Taggart.
The left-winger's day begins at 5am when, with the likes of Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard and their £20.2million striker Fernando Torres still tucked away in their beds, he heads out onto the streets of West London to empty rubbish bins.
It is a job for which he is rewarded with £200 a week, and Taggart - who does not own a car - relies on being driven to training sessions and matches by teammates.
'My aim is to get back into full-time football, and I will never give up hope,' he told The Times.
'Saturday is going to be one of the biggest days of my life. To get a chance to play at Anfield against players like Torres is unbelievable.
'Every day that goes past, I get more excited. Come the match, I think I'll be ready to explode.
'Don't worry. I'm ready for the 'What a load of rubbish' chants.'
Havant have earned the right to enjoy their 15 minutes of fame, having advanced through six rounds - past Bognor Regis, Fleet Town, Leighton Town, York City, Notts County and Swansea.
But Liverpool are not in the mood for mercy.
Said Gerrard: 'Sadly for Havant, there aren't any romantics in our changing room.
'But they've earned their place in the fourth round and also our total respect.'
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Liverpool v Havant & Waterlooville
Live, Ch23, 10.55pm
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