Rafa Benitez finally got some good news as Steven Gerrard's hat-trick helped Liverpool cruise into the FA Cup fourth round with a 5-0 win against crisis ridden League One outfit Luton on Tuesday. Benitez's position looks increasingly untenable after Liverpool's American owners admitted they held talks with Jurgen Klinsmann over the manager's job late last year.
But the Spaniard at least avoided an embarrassing third round replay defeat thanks to Gerrard's treble and goals from Ryan Babel and Sami Hyypia at Anfield. Liverpool's stars ran riot in the second half and advanced to a tie against Conference South club Havant and Waterlooville or League One Swansea in the next round.
Luton had out-played and out-fought Liverpool for long periods when they drew 1-1 at Kenilworth Road. Benitez's side, captained by Jamie Carragher on his 500th appearance, didn't take them for granted this time.
The breakthrough arrived in first half stoppage time when Fernando Torres fed Babel and the Dutch winger's low shot arrowed home. Gerrard scored from close range in the 52nd minute before Hyypia glanced in a header five minutes later. A 64th minute strike from Gerrard made it four and the England midfielder completed his first hat-trick for over two years in the 72nd minute.
Benitez refused to be drawn on his future, saying: "I wasn't thinking much about it. We were really thinking about this game because we knew it was important to progress in the FA Cup. Robbie Keane's 99th goal for Tottenham gave his side a 1-0 win at Reading. Keane struck in the first half at the Madejski Stadium to earn Juande Ramos's men a trip to Manchester United.
Dimitar Berbatov was sidelined with flu as Ramos made five changes but Keane made sure the Bulgaria striker wasn't missed. Managerless Bury stunned Norwich as the League Two side beat their Championship opponents 2-1 at Gigg Lane. Sheffield Wednesday's clash against Premiership tailenders Derby was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch at Hillsborough. Derby's fellow Premiership strugglers Fulham's trip to Bristol Rovers and Barnet's tie against Swindon suffered the same fate.