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He is a magnet to controversy and probably always will be but it is impossible not to admire Luis Suárez’s mercurial talent. The Uruguayan took centre stage here in an accomplished Liverpool performance that proved there is life after Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher. With both players missing for a league game for only the eighth time in five years it was left to two of the six Kenny Dalglish signings in the Liverpool starting lineup to secure a deserved win over a hugely disappointing West Bromwich Albion team.

Charlie Adam scored the first from the penalty spot, after Suárez tumbled in the area, prompting a furious reaction from the Albion supporters, and Andy Carroll grabbed the second as half-time approached to put clear distance between the two sides. It was a sobering 90 minutes for Roy Hodgson, the Albion manager, who looked on with frustration as a team that was almost unrecognisable from the one that he was in charge of before Dalglish replaced him at the start of the year strolled to a comfortable three points.

The penalty incident in the eighth minute provided the first major talking point. Jerome Thomas clearly made contact with Suárez, clumsily tangling with the Liverpool striker, although Lee Mason’s handling of the incident was odd to say the least. The referee was perfectly positioned and turned away after deeming that there was no foul, only to stop in his tracks and point to the spot after noticing that Gary Beswick, the assistant referee, who was stood further away, was flagging for a penalty. Adam, after a lengthy hold up, composed himself before slotting home.

Liverpool, despite the absence of Carragher and Gerrard – Dalglish confirmed that the latter had picked up an ankle injury in training on Friday that had subsequently become infected – had already made the brighter start. Suárez could have been in on goal in the opening minute when he ran on to José Enrique’s long pass but for once the forward’s touch deserted him and the chance was squandered. He also sliced high and wide when Martin Skrtel’s downward header dropped invitingly for him later in the first half.

Carroll was not so forgiving on the stroke of half-time. Olsson’s careless pass presented possession to Liverpool and within the blink of an eye the visitors had doubled their lead with a classic counterattacking goal. Lucas Leiva superbly picked out Suárez on the right and the ball was quickly transferred to Carroll, who had a clear run on goal. The forward’s first touch was far from convincing but his second, with the outside of his left boot, slipped the ball neatly under Ben Foster.

Albion, badly missing the pace and intelligent movement up front that the injured Shane Long normally provides, had looked strangely subdued for the much of the first half. Liverpool, in contrast, carried a threat whenever they broke forward and had two other penalty appeals before half-time. Olsson, who was enduring a bad day at the office, seemed to bundle Carroll over in the six‑yard box, and later on in the half Steven Reid, arguably accidentally, blocked a header from the former

Remove a £35m striker from a team and the logical assumption would be that that side would struggle to score, especially if his deputy was a midfielder who did not command a fee when he joined the club. Adversity has tended to galvanise Liverpool during Kenny Dalglish’s brief reign, however, and the message that one man’s absence is another’s opportunity was reinforced in improbable fashion. Minus the injured Andy Carroll, Maxi Rodríguez was promoted from the bench. He promptly took over the goalscoring mantle, a hat-trick doubling his tally for the season and meaning the Argentinian proved more prolific within the space of 73 minutes than either Carroll or Luis Suárez have done in their short careers at Anfield.

Admittedly, the winger was an indirect replacement, starting on the left of a midfield diamond as Dalglish reconfigured his team. Nevertheless, it enabled him to reveal a hitherto disguised predatory streak. The opener was evidence. For all the power contained in the shot Jay Spearing fizzed at him, Ben Foster ought to have held it. Instead, he spilled the ball. Rodríguez reacted swiftly, directing his shot beneath the sprawling goalkeeper.

Foster erred for Liverpool’s first goal, but was irreproachable for the second. The same, however, could not be said of a Birmingham defence with a hard-earned reputation for frugality. They were prised open too easily, Suárez latching on to a José Reina punt that Raul Meireles flicked on. Foster produced a double save to deny first the Uruguayan and then Dirk Kuyt before the Dutchman turned sharply to drill in the third attempt. Birmingham’s problems were compounded when Stephen Carr landed on Foster, hurting the goalkeeper.

His replacement, Colin Doyle, was beaten when Rodríguez doubled his tally, volleying in Suárez’s cross after Meireles released the £22.8m striker with a wonderful cross-field pass. His hat-trick was secured when he followed up after Suárez had a shot blocked. The rout was complete when substitute Joe Cole scored a fifth, aided by poor goalkeeping from Doyle.

Premier LeagueLiverpoolBirmingham CityRichard Jollyguardian.co.uk

Today’s Tell-all is throwing his arms in the air like he just don’t care

As a grouchy, gum-chewing Scot once said, “football, bloody hell.” The sport really is a mad one, forever providing those that follow it with reasons to feel shocked and dazed by the wonder of it all. Why if it’s not the slick, eye-stretching beauty of Barcelona’s passing play then it’s the news that Jermain Defoe wants to build a neon-lit nightclub on the grounds of his Essex mansion. When oh when will it all end?

The latest source of amazement is Gareth Bale. Exactly one year ago the monkey-faced, speedy son of a gun was about to start his 17th game in succession for Tottenham Hotspur; a 3-1 win over Fulham in the FA Cup. It was a remarkable run for a player who had previously been a walking jink for Harry Redknapp’s men, but still did not hint at what was to come for the 21-year-old – a meteoric rise to fame that has seen him linked with a £40m move to all manner of clubs, most notably Internazionale and Chelsea, and, today, being the focus of a whopping back page exclusive in The Sun.

“Bale KO” screams the headline on page 68 of the breast-loving tabloid, followed by the story that the winger is out of Saturday’s Euro2012 qualifier between Wales and England with a hamstring injury and has returned to Spurs for an assessment of the strain.

There is even a mention of the story on the front of the paper, the front I ask you – who could have imagined that 12 months ago, when Bale was merely a fleet-footed upstart with dreamy aspirations of being the next Benoit Assou-Ekotto or Niko Kranjcar? Well whose on top now? Gareth is, that’s who.

News of Bale’s injury – which is expected to be confirmed by the Wales manager, Gary Speed, this afternoon – is a scoop for the Sun but a stonking pain in the rear for today’s other papers, most of which have an article focusing on the threat he poses to England on Saturday. Top of the ‘D’oh!’ list is The Mirror, who have dedicated two pages to an ‘exclusive interview’ with the player. For them, Bale’s reputation as a walking bad omen continues.

Thankfully for The Mill, this morning’s Bale bonanza has not obliterated the space this country’s press dedicates to rumour. Meatiest of all is the less-than-original news that Liverpool are preparing to tussle with Manchester United for the signature of Ashley Young this summer. Kenny Dalglish failed to sign the 25-year-old in January, but with the winger refusing to sign a contract extension at Aston Villa it appears increasingly likely that he will move on, with Anfield or Old Trafford his most likely destination. The fee is predicted to reach £20m.

Liverpool also apparently want Gary Cahill, Charlie Adam and England’s latest candidate for the role of one-cap wonder, Matt Jarvis.

Cahill is also wanted by Arsenal and, more intriguingly, Bayern Munich, with both clubs seemingly prepared to pay £18m for the Bolton defender.

If they fail with Young, United could focus all their energies on signing Charlton’s Carl Jenkinson. The highly-rated 17-year-old centre-back has apparently told the London club that he want to leave at the end of the season, when his contract expires.

Another tyro seemingly on his way to the Premier League is Southampton’s forever spoken about forward Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. Having stoked interest on Merseyside and Manchester, the 17-year-old is now on the radar of Spurs.

Wait, what’s this, Seedorf is on his way to Leicester? Oh, hang on, it not Clarence but instead Stefano, the 28-year-old cousin of the legendary Dutch midfielder. He currently plays for Monza in Italy and is available for £450,000, with Leeds also keen to sign the big-named/small-time player.

Elsewhere, Greg Halford wants to end his Wolves “nightmare” by joining Portsmouth, while 30-year-old defender David Wright is expected to leave Crystal Palace for Ipswich Town.

All of this, though, means nothing in light of Bale’s dodgy hamstring. Who would have thunked it?

Tottenham HotspurLiverpoolManchester UnitedArsenalBayern MunichPortsmouthIpswich TownLeicester CityLeeds UnitedSachin Nakraniguardian.co.uk