Maxi magic destroys Fulham

Maxi: Hat-trick hero

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A Maxi Rodriguez hat-trick set Liverpool on course for a thrilling 5-2 win at Fulham.

The Reds had the chance to climb above Tottenham into fifth place and took full advantage, charging into a 3-0 lead inside 16 minutes.

Maxi gave them a dream start as he swept in the opener after just 32 seconds and the Argentinian midfielder doubled Liverpool’s lead just six minutes later.

A Mark Schwarzer error then gifted Dirk Kuyt his fifth goal in five games as the Reds ran riot against a Fulham side which won their last two games 3-0 and had kept six clean sheets in their last seven home games.

Moussa Dembele pulled one back for the hosts in the 57th minute but Maxi restored Liverpool’s three-goal cushion in the 70th minute with his seventh goal in three games, which have included two hat-tricks.

Luis Suarez then claimed a richly-deserved goal five minutes later yet Steve Sidwell scored the goal of the night late on, smashing in a 25-yard half-volley to claim a consolation for the Cottagers.