Liverpool produced a thoroughbred performance at the Hawthorns last night to earn their rightful place in the last 16 of the League Cup. The Premiership side, able to field 11 full internationals, were always too strong for West Brom and sealed the victory with fine second-half goals from Patrik Berger and Robbie Fowler.

Although several of his fellow Premiership managers had opted to play under-strength teams in this competition, there were no such thoughts from Roy Evans. He fielded his strongest line-up, the only absentees from his regular team being the rested Paul Ince and the injured Phil Babb.

Liverpool made their intentions clear from the start as they pushed forward. Indeed, Robbie Fowler could easily have scored twice in the opening six minutes.

Albion were much on the defensive, but could have snatched a goal in a breakaway attack. Paul Peschisolido rounded Bjorn Kvarme to hit a shot from just inside the area which David James saved low.

An injury to Jamie Carragher meant a switch for Liverpool at the break with the introduction of Oyvind Leonhardsen for his debut, following his £4 million transfer from Wimbledon.

The breakthrough came in the 51st minute with Fowler providing the cross from the left for Berger to put away a clinical left-footed shot. In an effort to find an equaliser Albion, brought on Lee Hughes to replace Bob Taylor - but Fowler put an end to all that.