If this is how Liverpool respond to playing two games in three days, Rafa Benitez must wish the derby was tomorrow night. The only fatigue on display here was in the home stands, as Birmingham's tormented fans grow tired of seeing their side getting battered.
For Liverpool, the thrill of reaching an FA Cup semi-final for the first time since 2001 was eclipsed only by the manner in which they did so. After serving nibbles for much of the season, Anfield's strikers are now hosting banquets. Peter Crouch, Fernando Morientes and Djibril Cisse filled their bellies at St Andrews, although most of the helpings arrived courtesy of another inspirational performance cooked up by Steven Gerrard. The seven goal deficit flattered Birmingham more than rampant Liverpool. Benitez's only concern must be that a few strikes have been kept in the bank for the weekend. By the end, records and reputations were tumbling with each attack. Not only did Liverpool register their biggest away win in the FA Cup, it was the most convincing away victory by any side in the last eight since 1890. The mighty Bootle were once demolished 7-0 by Blackburn Rovers. Who knows, perhaps this was a moment of revenge for the Carragher clan. Benitez couldn't have scripted a more comfortable passage into the last four, as his side recovered from the pre-match blow of not having to face Emile Heskey to romp into the semis. Liverpool's first two attacks yielded headed goals as both Sami Hyypia and Crouch benefited from non-existent marking following perfect Gerrard crosses. St Andrews was full capacity for no more than four minutes, as the first deserters saw enough when Maik Taylor failed to hold onto Crouch's close range nod. The home side's attempts to rally were brief. Liverpool were two-up before they'd even had to settle, and by the time the visitors completely found their form, Birmingham humiliation beckoned. The clinical edge which would have made numerous Liverpool victories more emphatic this season finally made an appearance. Crouch's second was exceptional. This was an evening when Luis Garcia’s party pieces paid off and his dribble and pass was dispatched with the confidence of a man who's averaged a goal every two games since November. That's 12 in 24 games for Crouch, who may soon earn the description 'prolific'. One Birmingham fan had seen enough, rushing towards the home dug-out to shout obscenities and eyeball Steve Bruce from 10 yards. After being escorted out of the stadium, the 'fan' was at least consoled by being prevented from sitting through further punishment, although one might have thought he'd enjoy a rare chance to see some good football. The visiting supporters offered some sympathy to the Birmingham boss with a rendition of 'Steve Bruce, he's signing on next week'. To be fair to the home manager, who showed he hadn't lost his sense of humour by sending on his son for the last 15 minutes, he was courageous enough to accept the scale of embarrassment. Whatever Bruce said at half-time had a dramatic and surprising impact, as it made Birmingham play even worse and Liverpool excel more. Crouch's elegant strike was over-shadowed as the Reds staged their own goal of the round competition in the second half. With the number 15 still shaking his head after being denied the chance of a hat-trick, his replacement tapped in a scrumptious fourth.
Momo Sissoko wasn't the only player to benefit from the Edgar Davids style glasses, as Morientes tried them on while sat on the bench and clearly got a good look where the goal is. Garcia's dummy and Gerrard's unselfish pass ensured Morientes grabbed his second tap-in in two appearances. When he scores at rather more crucial times, a year of being frustrated by the skilful Spaniard will justifiably and willingly be replaced by a round of feet kissing. Lack of confidence certainly shouldn't be a factor now. In truth, Morientes was merely dishing out sweet deserts, while Crouch, Gerrard and company had already ensured the starters and main course were of Michelin star standard. John Arne Riise’s thunderbolt provided the cream. Quite what that made the sixth and seventh is a matter for the hapless Olivier Tebily and Taylor to explain. The duo would certainly have welcomed a liquor or two to drown their sorrows, as an own goal and Taylor howler meant, by the end, Liverpool were after eight. The 4,000 visiting fans were delirious, revelling in the former Manchester United defender's shame. For Benitez, a third cup semi-final in two seasons awaits, and his players won't care who they're facing if they can maintain this standard for the remainder of the campaign. Chelsea will want to avoid the Reds as much as vice-versa. Before getting swept away with pretensions of greatness, however, Benitez will be canny enough to acknowledge his team has just faced arguably the worst three defensive performances since Phil Babb, Torben Piechnik and Bjorn Tore Kvarme were in their prime. Even Sean Dundee and Erik Meijer might have fancied their chances last night. Not that this should detract from the professional and ruthless manner the strikers have filled their boots. Liverpool can justifiably argue this beating was threatened for some time, and Birmingham have merely suffered where others should have tread.
Benitez will be more content with the overall performance as much as the score, as his side has rediscovered the conviction it displayed during its mid-season peak. Sissoko's comfortable return in midfield freed Gerrard, while for the first time this season Benitez faces a striking dilemma because all of his forwards are scoring. A week ago the derby was an accident waiting to happen. Today, it can't come soon enough for Liverpool. Well, providing someone can lock all the windows at Anfield and stop that form book being chucked out of one, that is.
