The England midfielder got his double wish as Liverpool secured a place in the fourth round of the FA Cup after a 5-0 victory against the League One side in Tuesday night's replay at Anfield.

With Liverpool coasting, Benitez planned to give the club captain a rest.

But with two goals already to his name, Gerrard asked to stay on for a few more minutes.

Benitez gave in and the team's talisman scored his third of the night and Liverpool's final goal.

"The manager called me over and said he was about to take me off," Gerrard told the Liverpool Echo.

"I pleaded with him to give me five minutes more because I wanted to get my hat-trick.

"I'm made up he let me because it's always nice to get three goals."

The second hat-trick of Gerrard's Liverpool career took his tally for the season to 15 goals.

Dutch starlet Ryan Babel, who opened the scoring on Tuesday night, admits nothing his team-mate does surprises him.

"It's almost normal that Stevie gives a performance like that," he told the club's official website, www.liverpoolfc.tv.

"He took his goals very well and it is obvious that he is a really important player for us."

Babel also paid tribute to Jamie Carragher after he made his 500th appearance for the club.

The 21-year-old Dutchman said: "He's a great player with a lot of experience. It doesn't matter what kind of game it is, he always gives 100%.

"It is a great achievement for him. He is always there encouraging the team and giving tactical advice. There is no doubt he is a major figure at Liverpool."

Babel believes Liverpool can go into their next league game against Aston Villa on Monday with confidence.

"The game will be a different level than the cup match but we will be ready," he said.

"It's good that we now have a whole week to recover and prepare. It won't be an easy game but after this win against Luton, it should give us a lot of confidence going into the match."