Analysis: VAR may be a shambles, but West Brom certainly aren't anymore

Simon Mignolet picked the ball out of his net a staggering five times, and even though two of them were ruled out for offside, that tells the story of this tie.

The VAR debate is destined to dominate the post-match analysis of this fixture, and understandably so.

Despite the video referee getting pretty much every call correct, for those inside Anfield it still felt like a farce, still felt like we were being robbed of information and entertainment.

It’s plainly obvious that those who pay their money to actually attend games deserve to be let into the secret and if VAR is rolled out, it needs to be shown on big screens in the ground, not just little screens at home.

That debate, however, should not overshadow what a complete all-round performance this was from an Albion side now moving through the gears.

It’s now three wins and a draw from the last four games and one defeat in seven, which, as has previously been stated, came at the London Stadium under lop-sided circumstances.

But this performance more than any other in recent weeks proves how far the team has come under Alan Pardew.

Albion bounced back from an early setback to score three goals from open play and even though Liverpool’s defending left a lot to be desired, the Baggies were reassuringly clinical and encouragingly hungry.

Grzegorz Krychowiak and Gareth Barry look like a classy midfield pair capable of outpassing and outwitting most.

At Anfield, they outfought their opponents too, snapping at heels just like the rest of the team.

Both have improved under Pardew, but the most noticeable change has come up front.

Salomon Rondon was saved for Manchester City, but he’s looked rejuvenated in recent weeks.

In his absence, Jay Rodriguez was man of the match, scoring two goals in four minutes to rack up his fourth and fifth strikes in his last six games.

Albion are planning to bring a striker in before Wednesday’s transfer deadline and are chasing Watford's Troy Deeney, but right now, Rodriguez is undroppable.

Speaking of transfers, this could well have been Jonny Evans’ last game in blue and white stripes, but if it was, what a way to sign out.

The way he bounced back from an early error with fire and fury in his belly and a determination to win proves how much the skipper still cares.

He stayed on the pitch after his hamstring went late on and continued to throw his body on the line, potentially damaging any move.

It was that sort of night though, one that provided drama only the FA Cup is capable of producing.

The league may be the main priority this season, but Pardew has great pedigree in this competition, and if Albion keep winning, they’ll start entertaining the idea of going deep. They’re already in the last 16 after all.

This performance bodes well for the survival fight, of course, and thoughts will quickly turn to Wednesday’s game at the Etihad Stadium.

Based on this, Albion will be able to give Manchester City a run for their money.

But in many ways it’s a shame the league comes round so quickly, robbing fans of time to bask in this victory.

Thanks to VAR, this match will linger in the public conscious, but it’s the performance that Baggies fans won’t forget.

It’s 50 years since Albion last played Liverpool in the FA Cup, and they beat the Reds back in 1968 in a second replay en route to lifting the trophy.

The romantics out there will hope that is an omen, but even if it’s not, and even if the Baggies get knocked out in the next round, football is at its best on nights like this.

VAR may be a shambles, but Albion definitely aren’t any more.