Rafa Benitez refuses to discuss his future

Jan 15 2008

Manager Rafael Benitez refused to discuss his future at Liverpool after seeing his side cruise into the fourth round of the FA Cup.

A hat-trick from Steven Gerrard was the highlight of a 5-0 victory against League One Luton at Anfield.

The comfortable win came a day after the shock revelation by co-owner Tom Hicks that Jurgen Klinsmann had been sounded out about the possibility of becoming the club’s next manager.

According to many pundits Benitez’s role has been undermined but the Spaniard was keen to focus on the team after their victory in the replay - even though the capacity crowd chanted his name from the start.

“The supporters are amazing but they always have been,” he said.

“I would like to talk only about the team and about us winning the game.

“I am really pleased after this match. I know you must ask certain questions but I just want to enjoy tonight.

“There were a lot of positive things for me to focus on. We have needed to take our chances and that is something we did this time.”

Luton collapsed after conceding a late first half goal. Ryan Babel made the breakthrough and after that it was one-way traffic with Sami Hyypia also getting on the scoresheet.

Liverpool now face either Swansea or Havant and Waterlooville and Benitez said: “We wanted to score an earlier goal but couldn’t. We had a lot of opportunities but they defended well.

“Once we did score it opened up for us and it was a good night. Carra (Jamie Carragher, made captain for the night) made his 500th appearance and Gerrard got a hat-trick.

“I felt it right to name a strong side as we have plenty of time before our next game against Aston Villa on Monday.

“The FA Cup has always been an important competition for us and we want to progress.”

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2 SOCCER Liverpool Quotes Nightlead

Luton are expected to bank about #200,000 from the game and with the prospect of new owners the future seems bright.

It was announced before the match that a deal to buy the club had been agreed with a consortium led by television presenter Nick Owen.

Outgoing manager Kevin Blackwell, forced to off-load players last week by the administrators, was angry at the way the news came out.

He said: “I did not know he was the preferred bidder until a reporter told me.

“That is why I am very angry about the situation, you do not know what is going on from day to day.

“It might be nice tell the players they might get some wages out of this. They (the administrators) don’t seem to think it is important, do they?

“Considering the team we put out it was a fantastic performance tonight and I am proud of the players.”