Liverpool 3-0 West Ham

Liverpool shrugged off the loss of Steven Gerrard as they secured an emphatic 3-0 victory over lowly West Ham in the Premier League at Anfield.

The Reds skipper, who is out for a month with a hamstring injury suffered on England duty, watched on as Roy Hodgson's side tore the relegation threatened Hammers apart.

First half goals from Glen Johnson, Dirk Kuyt and Maxi Rodriguez ensured Liverpool bounced back from their defeat at Stoke and piled the pressure on West Ham boss Avram Grant.

The rock-bottom Hammers haven't won at Anfield since 1963 and they never looked like ending that miserable run.

Liverpool dominated from the start and the only surprise was that the hosts had to wait until the 18th minute for the breakthrough.

Rodriguez, David Ngog and Raul Meireles all forced saves from an overworked Robert Green before the goalkeeper was finally beaten.

Johnson, who impressed on his return from injury against his former club, chested down Meireles' corner and hammered a low shot past Green.

The Reds doubled their tally nine minutes later. Danny Gabbidon handled in the box as Fernando Torres looked to go past him and Kuyt stepped up to slot home the penalty.

It was embarrassingly easy for Liverpool with their slick passing and movement tearing the dismal visitors apart.

Seven minutes before the break the third goal arrived. Green kept out Torres' shot but the ball broke to Paul Konchesky whose curling cross was expertly nodded into the far corner by Rodriguez.

The away fans responded with chants of 'You're getting sacked in the morning' towards manager Grant and sang the name of club legend Paulo Di Canio.

Pablo Barrera replaced Victor Obinna at the start of the second half but Liverpool remained firmly in control.

Ngog was denied by Radoslav Kovac's brave block and then the impressive Rodriguez chipped Green but his effort drifted narrowly wide.

Only the heroics of Green kept the score down. With 18 minutes to go the keeper pushed Fernando Torres' blistering strike on to the woodwork and was up quickly to tip Christian Poulsen's long range piledriver behind.

Substitute Fabio Aurelio twice went close late on with West Ham relieved to hear the final whistle.

This story has been reproduced from today's media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club.