Liverpool Romp To Win Over Luton

Steven Gerrard Celebrates Against Luton If you’re going to be forced into a replay on home soil against a League One side, then you better give them a Premier League reception. That, last night, is exactly what Liverpool did as they romped their way to a 5-0 victory over Luton.

After a disappointing draw at the weekend against ‘Boro, a win was vital here to keep the FA Cup chances alive, likely setting up a 4th round clash with Swansea if they can get back non-league side Havant & Waterlooville.

There was no fear of “more of the same”, Liverpool pressing forward when the chances presented themselves, all the way to the brink of half time before Ryan Babel opened the scoring in extra time in the first half with a sweet strike from the right of the box. (Video here while available)

After that it was one way traffic.

Seven minutes into the second half, Peter Crouch directed a great header from the far post back into the centre of the box to the on-rushing Gerrard who had no problem powering a header of his own into the back of the net. Five minutes later and after two attempts with crosses from Gerrard to Hyypia’s head, the big Finn got under Gerrard’s corner from the left to slice the ball into the back of the net and make it 3-0.

While Jamie Carragher was making his 500th Liverpool appearance, the remainder of the half would belong to Steven Gerrard, the skipper grabbing his second and Liverpool’s fourth when a strike by Fernando Torres rebounded into the path of Gerrard, no problem lashing home from inside the edge of the box. (Video here while available).

The fifth was trademark Gerrard - 25 yards out and you could see the goal before it even left his foot. 3 goals in 19 minutes for Stevie (video) and the first Liverpool hat trick in the FA Cup since 1996.

Roll on round four.

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