Rafael Benítez, the Liverpool manager, yesterday denied reports that he expected to be sacked by the club’s American owners by the end of the season.

Rick Parry, the club’s chief executive, was flying to the United States for a meeting tomorrow with George Gillett Jr and Tom Hicks, the co-owners, at which it was rumoured last night that Benítez’s future may be on the agenda, and it has been widely reported that defeat by Inter Milan in the Champions League next month would signal the end of his tenure at Anfield and clear the way for a possible move to Real Madrid next summer.

But Benítez said after his side had been held to a 1-1 draw by Luton Town, the Coca-Cola League One side, in yesterday’s FA Cup third-round tie at Kenilworth Road: “I love the club, I love the fans, I want to stay. I have two [and a half] more years of contract and if I can stay for more, I will be really happy.” Had he spoken to the Americans recently? “No. I will not talk about this all the time.”

BenÍtez was also unconcerned by suggestions that he had risked elimination yesterday by fielding a weakened side, resting José Manuel Reina and Fernando Torres, even though Steven Gerrard was missing because of injury. “What is my strongest possible team?” he said. “The keeper had some problems. You are talking about just one player. That is the FA Cup. Talk to Bolton, talk to Everton, talk to Blackburn [all of whom were eliminated by lower-ranked teams on Saturday].”

Newcastle United, another Barclays Premier League club with a manager under pressure, also failed to see off their supposed inferiors after being held to a goalless draw away to Stoke City, but Sam Allardyce at least received the backing of Alan Shearer, the man who many think could eventually replace him at St James’ Park.

“I don’t think his job is at risk. That’s come from the chairman himself,” Shearer said. “He’s actually come out and said that Sam’s our man and he’s going to stick with him, win, lose or draw, and that should be the case.”

Roy Hodgson defended his embattled players after Fulham were booed off despite coming from behind to secure a 2-2 draw at home to Bristol Rovers. Danny Murphy’s fourth goal of the season earned his side a replay at the Memorial Stadium next week after the Coca-Cola League One side had twice taken the lead, through Danny Coles and Craig Hinton, with David Healy getting the initial equaliser. The Fulham fans, who were outnumbered by the visiting team’s, were distinctly unimpressed, but Hodgson preferred to dwell on the positives after a difficult first week at the club.

“Obviously, there’s no one who’s happy, but sometimes you’ve got to look beyond the result and remember there are a lot of players here who are low on confidence,” he said. “I said there’s no reason to be ashamed of what they did today.”

Derby County came from two goals down at home to Sheffield Wednesday to secure a 2-2 draw and, with it, a replay at Hillsborough a week tomorrow. Emanuel Villa was introduced to the Derby fans before kick-off, but as he watched from the stands while his new team-mates fell 2-0 behind after only 23 minutes, the Argentine striker, signed for £2 million from UAG Tecos, of Mexico, last week, must have wondered what he had walked into. Paul Jewell, the Derby manager, hopes to make another “two or three” signings this week.

Derby hope to agree a fee with Blackburn Rovers for Robbie Savage, the midfield player, who is also attracting interest from Sunderland and Wigan Athletic. Laurent Robert, the former Newcastle winger, should sign a short-term contract tomorrow.

Arsène Wenger admitted that Jens Lehmann may have played his last game for Arsenal after appearing in their 2-0 victory away to Burnley, but he also expressed his wish that the Germany goalkeeper will reject Borussia Dortmund to stay in London for the remainder of the season. The German club are confident of signing Lehmann, who is unhappy at losing his first-team place to Manuel Almunia, but he has yet to agree personal terms. “I hope he will stay,” Wenger said, “but we will know in the next few days.”

Owen Coyle, the Burnley manager, believed that his team’s chances were killed by the “harsh” red card shown to Kyle Lafferty for a challenge on Gilberto Silva on the hour.