LONDON: Liverpool kept up its relentless march to a finish in the Premier League's European places, with Maxi Rodriguez scoring a hat trick Monday to help rout Fulham 5-2 at Craven Cottage. Rodriguez made it seven goals in his last three league matches by scoring twice in the first six minutes, his first coming after just 32 seconds. The Argentina midfielder added the team's fourth with a stunning long-range shot in the 70th. Netherlands forward Dirk Kuyt had already put the Reds 3-0 ahead in the 16th with his fifth goal in successive games and Uruguay striker Luis Suarez completed the rout in the 75th, capping a sensational individual performance that ran Fulham's defense ragged and helping the Reds go two points clear of Tottenham in fifth place. Spurs have a game in hand. “It was a fantastic result for us,” said Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish. “To score five goals was beyond our wildest dreams.” Dalglish's side moved to within four points of fourth-place Manchester City but only have two matches left, making it unlikely that the Reds can qualify for the Champions League. This was their sixth win in their last nine matches, however, continuing a remarkable turnaround under Dalglish since he replaced Roy Hodgson as manager in January for a second stint in charge. “We can only benefit from other results if we do the business ourselves,” Dalglish said. Moussa Dembele and Steve Sidwell scored second-half consolation goals for Fulham but they were outclassed by the visitors. Juve draws with Chievo Juventus let a two-goal lead slip at home to Chievo Verona and was held to a 2-2 draw that all but ended its hopes of qualifying for the Champions League next season. Juventus remains in seventh place – outside the Europa League places – and five points behind Udinese in the final Champions League spot. Alessandro Del Piero opened the scoring with a penalty in the first half and Alessandro Matri then doubled the lead early in the second. However, Fernando Uribe grabbed Chievo's first in the 68th, and with Juventus' defense in disarray, Gennaro Sardo swept in the equalizer a minute later.Both sides went close late on and had shots cleared off the line, while Juventus substitute Luca Toni hit the post with a header.
