Liverpool are facing a long trip down to Portsmouth after only managing a draw in a frantic FA Cup fifth round clash at Anfield.
Liverpool desperate to recapture some of the cup glory from yesteryear were determined to fight for a win from kick-off and with star player Michael Owen back on dangerous form Portsmouth were soon left trailing.
Within the first two minutes of the start Premiership strugglers Pompey were already a goal down.
Bruno Cheyrou made a smooth pass to Steven Gerrard who managed to break through the defence to put Owen in. The striker snuck in behind the defence to blast the ball into the back of the net making it 1-0.
It was the start Liverpool needed and after his opener Owen was fired up for the rest of the game.
Shaka Hislop was forced to make a save moments later after a second chance at goal came from a Gerrard free-kick 40-yards out.
Portsmouth tried to pull back in the eighth minute after Alexei Smertin's corner reached the feet of Nigel Quashie, but the Pompey captain could not convert and the ball fell wide of the left-hand post.
Liverpool kept up their steady challenge on the away team. Ever present Owen was unlucky not to make it two after his shot in the 16th minute skimmed the crossbar.
And two more chances for Emile Heskey should have seen the home side three up, but his thundering header and 40-yard strike failed to make the target.
And with that lack of outstanding finishing the game fell flat as the half-time whistle blew.
But as the second half kicked off Liverpool's fighting spirit led by feisty striker Owen dominated the pitch. Petri Pasanen made some vital blocks for Portsmouth as Liverpool charged forward.
Portsmouth had a shot on goal with a fierce strike from Yakubu Ayegbeni which was blasted into the Kop End.
Reds captain Gerrard made a nuisance of himself, tussling with Dejan Stefanovic and he failed to convert with a curling shot following a tremendous run from the halfway line.
In the 77th minute the unthinkable happened as substitute Matthew Taylor drilled home a goal for Portsmouth to bring the scoreline level.
Despite support from the fans, Liverpool's game fell into a scrappy freefall and despite some desperate last-gasp charges forward they deeply regretted not making more of their chances in the first half.
The game ended 1-1 with the replay set for Fratton Park next Sunday.