Maxi bags treble for rampant Reds

Maxi Rodriguez scored a hat-trick, supported by goals from Dirk Kuyt and Joe Cole, as Liverpool ran riot at Anfield to beat Birmingham 5-0.

None of the Argentinian's goals were much more than a tap-in but he benefited from the way Kenny Dalglish's side tore apart the visitors with their passing game.

Substitute Cole scored late on as Liverpool kept up the pressure in the race for fifth place in the Barclays Premier League.

Jay Spearing had a hand in the opening goal - although not as much as goalkeeper Ben Foster in the seventh minute. Kuyt's lay-off saw the 22-year-old midfielder fire in a swerving shot which the Birmingham goalkeeper spilled into the path of Rodriguez, who made no mistake.

Birmingham were caught by a Liverpool counter-attack in the 23rd minute.

Jose Reina picked out Raul Meireles just over the halfway line and he flicked into the path of Luis Suarez, who did well to hold off a challenge. Foster saved well from the Uruguay international and again from Kuyt's follow-up but he could do nothing to prevent the Holland international getting up to slot home the rebound.

Foster was injured in the process and replaced by Colin Doyle.

Liverpool's third came after 66 minutes when Suarez broke before crossing to the far post where Rodriguez tapped home.

He had his third after 73 minutes after getting a second bite at the cherry courtesy of Meireles.

Cole then weighed in with a deflected fifth two minutes after coming on.