Steven Gerrard has revealed he was almost denied his hat-trick against Luton by Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez.

"The manager called me over and said he was about to take me off," Gerrard told liverpoolfc.tv. "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."