Liverpool crash out the FA Cup to Barnsley

Rafa made to look a Yorkshire pudding as Barnsley produce a sucker punch

Liverpool crashed out the FA Cup in spectacular fashion last night as Barnsley pulled off one of the greatest upsets in the FA Cup's history.

An ashen-faced Rafa Benitez is now hanging onto his Liverpool job by a thread, and with the leaders of Italy's Serie A up next, its' not hard to see Benitez being out by the end of the season.

It all looked oh so different at half time for Liverpool. They had struggled to create chances in the first half, but had got the lead through a Dirk Kuyt finish from a Ryan Babel cut-back. Barnsley had created little of note, and the scene seemed to be set for a comfortable Liverpool win.

Liverpool came out in the second half determined to finish Barnsley off, but despite creating some half chances, they just couldn't get the second goal. Crouch and Kuyt were the worst offenders, missing some decent chances. Then in the 56th minute, Foster outjumped Crouch to power home Devaney's cross and Liverpool were rocking. After that it was backs to the wall stuff for Bansley, as they sturggled to hang on as Kuyt, Benayoun and Hyppia (twice) were all denied by Luke Steele in the Barnsley goal.

Then in the last minute came the drama and calamity for Liverpool as the Barnsley captain Howard, held off a challenge on the edge of the penalty area, Carragher and Rissie stood off him for a split second too long, and he lashed a tremendous drive into the bottom corner.

Benitez's position at Liverpool surely now is becoming untenable and his players are beginning to play like they think so too.

FA Cup Liverpool 5-0 Luton

Benitez lifted as Liverpool cruise past Luton

A Steven Gerrard hat-trick gave Rafael Benitez a boost, as Liverpool comfortably saw off a spirited Luton.

Ryan Babel opened the scoring in the 45th minute, after previously hitting the post. Gerrard doubled the lead, via a simple header from a Peter Crouch knockdown. Sami Hypia headed home from a Gerrard corner and Liverpool were on their way. Gerrard again, passed the ball into the bottom corner for the fourth and, rounded off the scoring with a spectacular swerving 30-yard shot beyond Luton keeper Brill.

Rafael Benitez will be lifted by this result, and will be hoping his team can now carry it on, and turn it into much needed Premier League victories, starting with the home game against Aston Villa. Asked about the Klinsmann saga afterwards, Benitez played a straight bat, deflecting any real comment. He knows only one thing can really put this story to bed - results.

FA Cup Results - Luton 1-1 Liverpool

Rafa's problems mount as spirited Luton hold listless Liverpool

Rafael Benitez's problems continued to mount as a disjointed, listless Liverpool were held 1-1 in this third round FA Cup tie.

After a bright start Liverpool degenerated into what they have so often this season - lots of possession but absolutely punchless upfront. When they did create chances their two forwards showed what 7 to 9 million buys you. Kuyt and Crouch simply should have done better, both missing respectable chances to give Liverpool a lead from which to go on and win the game.

Luton were spirited throughout, belying their lowly status they took the game to Liverpool at every opportunity. Talbot in particular was a stand-out performer for the battlers from Kenilworth Road.

Against the run of play, Liverpool took the lead in the 73rd minute, Crouch sliding home after a series of defensive errors from Luton. However just three minutes later Luton were level. Talbot again was the tormentor, with Riise knocking the ball into his own arm, and it then cannoned into the net.

For Luton another windfall waits as they limp along, hoping to stay in existence, though when you're losing 400k a week it must be doubtful. For Liverpool, a season that is threatening to completely unravel in a storm of over-expectation from owners and fans, political in-fighting and a punchless attack, limps onto into the next frenzied scrutiny of their manager. It's rapidly becoming death by a thousand cuts for Rafael Benitez.

You can't help feeling though, that Rafa Benitez has made two fundamental errors. He attacked the owners thinking he was in a stronger position than he was, and this has been undermined further by poor results. Secondly he has not bought invention to ally with Torres' ability. Kuyt and Voronin are workmanlike and thats it. Both (Kuyt particularly) and Voronin have no pace and are not penalty box predators. Two years ago he often used Luis Garcia with Crouch upfront - a classic target man and nippy front man partnership. Oh how Liverpool need a front man with his invention now to go with Torres. Also what has Crouch to do to get a game - how can he be on the bench with what Kuyt and Voronin offer? Moreover and more worringly for Liverpool fans is that of the midfield two years ago, you would Mascherano for Sissoko apart, play that same quartet again (Kewell, Alonso, Mascherano for Sissoko and Gerrard). This despite spending 32 million on Gonzalez, Benayoun, Pennant and Babel. Its all getting the feel of those last dark days of Houlliers regime.

FA Cup results: Everton 0-1 Oldham

The Toffees crash out to their lower league near neighbours

The dreaded 'r' word of rotation will be weighing heavily on the minds of supporters of one half of Merseyside today. However this time its the blue half of Merseyside cringing as David Moyes attempts at a rotation policy brought about a crushing FA Cup result.

Moyes made a host of changes that just didn't come off. After a bright start to this third round FA Cup tie, Oldham held Everton off with relative ease and Gary McDonald's stunning 25 yard effort just before half-time was enough to dump Everton out.

Moyes made a double substitution in the second half as it became apparent Oldham had the upper hand. Yakubu and Victor Anichebe replaced Vaughan and the woeful Thomas Gravesen. Yakubu almost rescued the Everton FA Cup campaign, hitting the upright with almost the last kick of the game. However it wasn't to be and Oldham secured a famous and fully deserved FA Cup victory.