Liverpool go into the game buoyed by the return of Mohamed Sissoko after his recovery from a sight-threatening eye injury
The French-born midfielder provides the flick that allows an unmarked Sami Hyypia to score in the first minute
Three minutes later Peter Crouch makes it 2-0 when he stoops to head Steven Gerrard's long ball past Maik Taylor
With 85 minutes still remaining, David Dunn attempts to put pressure on Liverpool's defence as Birmingham try to recover
The task is an uphill one for City - Jamie Clapham struggles to get the ball upfield as the Reds dominate
The win is all but secured when Crouch nets his second seven minutes before half-time with the Blues in disarray
Having seen his side totally outplayed in the opening period, Steve Bruce returns to the dressing room with a lot to ponder
The visitors show no signs of easing back after the break as Fernando Morientes scores on the hour to finish a neat move
10 minutes later it is 5-0 as John Arne Riise unleashes a trademark long-range effort that Taylor is unable to keep out
City's defenders have a night to forget but none more so than Olivier Tebily who diverts Harry Kewell's cross into his own net
Djibril Cisse adds the seventh and final goal when his hopeful shot slips under goalkeeper Taylor in the closing minutes
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Match of the Day - Post-match interviews