FA Premiership/ Liverpool 4 Sheffield Utd 0: The hosts were enjoying their stroll, with this game drifting towards its conclusion, when Robbie Fowler, his mind whirring quicker than his body could react, failed to control a loose ball on the edge of the penalty area and watched helplessly as the chance of a hat-trick squirmed away.

The lapse prompted a wail of frustration in the stands, but the locals' rasped response was not a condemnation of the forward's miskick. Rather it was a reflection of just how much Fowler is cherished in these parts.

Liverpool are preparing for life without God. The second coming has seen Fowler reduced to a bit-part role back in familiar surroundings; the local icon who returned unexpectedly from Manchester City a little over a year ago is dulled by age if still capable of flashes of excellence.

Fowler's year-long contract expires in the summer and, even after occasions such as this, the pragmatist in Rafael Benitez is unlikely to be persuaded to offer him an extension. The American takeover on Merseyside will provide the manager with funds to add to his attacking options and there are younger legs to be targeted. Even if the 31-year-old is retained his role would surely be reduced yet further. With that in mind, there is an acceptance that every appearance he conjures these days must be cherished.

How an 11th Liverpool hat-trick here would have been celebrated. This was only his third league start of the season, and his first since September 9th, but there have been seven goals in all competitions, a tally swollen here by a pair of penalties dispatched with ease midway through the first half, both after fouls on Steven Gerrard.

His slick first-time pass to liberate Gerrard to slam in the hosts' fourth had offered a reminder of the phenomenon that was the striker in his pomp.

The onus on Benitez' summer transfer policy must be to unearth a natural goalscorer as potent as the veteran. "He's a really good finisher, the best we have," said the manager. "If he's not with us next season we'll need to look for another one like him. But if he can score goals every game like that, we will see."

Chris Morgan presented Sami Hyypia with the hosts' third goal with 20 minutes remaining, though the visitors had been undermined by the two early penalties. United's manager, Neil Warnock, argued that Gerrard had played for the first, the midfielder urging the referee Steve Bennett to note Rob Kozluk's grappling, then tumbling when the full back persisted.

The second was more clear-cut, Nick Montgomery tugging back the home captain as he burst on to Kuyt's flick. It took 72 minutes before Sheffield even mustered a shot, with Rob Hulse later rattling the bar. By then Liverpool were comfortable. Javier Mascherano, anchoring midfield, grew as the game meandered on, with the home side now impregnable in this arena for nine Premiership matches, a club record.

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