Reds in seventh heaven

Liverpool got off to a red hot start with two goals inside the opening five minutes. Hyypia got on the end of a good free kick, swung in by Steven Gerrard and flicked on by Mohamed Sissoko, and guided a clear header into the back of the net

A handful of seconds later Crouch doubled Liverpool's lead. Gerrard again with the perfect cross in and Crouch simply could not miss from close range. Liverpool's lanky striker then got his second of the night in the 38th minute finishing off good work by Luis Garcia.

The early goals conceded by the home side could easily have been avoided but naiveté or sheer distraction on the part of the Birmingham defence meant that the match was over before it begun.

The Blues defending went downhill rapidly after the first two Liverpool goals. They continued to pile one mistake on top of the other and Liverpool did not hesitate to take advantage. Crouch's second goal is a case in point.

On the few times they did get forward Birmingham were able to carve out two good chances, with Mikael Forsell in on the action on both occasions. Defensive frailties were always going to cost them and when Morientes scored the fourth goal, Birmingham crumbled.

Not content with their 4-0 lead, Liverpool continued to look for goals without ever taking unnecessary risks at the back. Riise scored undoubtedly the most spectacular goal of the game with a wicked shot from just outside the area to make it 5-0. Olivier Tebily then added insult to Birmingham's injury by scoring an own goal to increase Liverpool's tally to six. To top off the atrocious defensive display the Blues 'keeper Maik Taylor gifted Cisse with Liverpool's seventh goal seconds before the final whistle.