Yossi Benayoun got the Reds off to a flyer when he chested home the opener before David Ngog doubled the advantage just shy of the half hour mark, converting Maxi Rodriguez's dangerous low cross on the run.

An unfortunate own goal from Hammers stopper Robert Green completed the scoring midway through the second period, after Sotirios Kyrgiakos' shot had crashed back off the post.

It means Rafael Benitez's men move back into sixth place in the Barclays Premier League, five points adrift of Tottenham having played a game more.

On the eve of the clash with Gianfranco Zola's Hammers, Liverpool were dealt a blow with the news that Fernando Torres would need an operation on a torn cartilage in his right knee, an injury that looks set to rule him out for the remainder of the season.

It left the boss with a selection dilemma that he looked to resolve by restoring Dirk Kuyt to the forward line. Lucas Leiva and Benayoun also returned as the Spaniard made three changes to the side that faced Fulham last time out.

The Reds' goalless draw with the Cottagers meant they had it all to do in the race for the final Champions League spot and there was no doubt that the difficulty of their task had been further increased by Tottenham's wins over both Arsenal and Chelsea.

It had many observers already crossing Liverpool's name from the list of contenders, but as the game got underway the message was clear from the Anfield hierarchy; win the last four and see what happens.

Benitez's men have often found strength in times of adversity and they began the match at a high tempo, as if keen to demonstrate that their season was still very much a work in progress.

On three minutes Maxi had the first shot in anger, forcing a smart save from Green after Benayoun had found him on the right side of the penalty area with a well weighted pass.

Ngog was then granted the freedom of the Anfield Road end when he raced clear onto Jamie Carragher's lofted ball, but just when it seemed like a goal was inevitable the Frenchman inexplicably flicked a tame header into the grateful arms of the West Ham stopper.

It had been a purposeful start from the hosts and they duly got their reward on 19 minutes when Benayoun appeared to chest Gerrard's right-wing free-kick into the far corner of the net after the ball had skipped up off the turf.

Any suggestions that there could be a potential repeat of the home side's Fulham frustration were now gone but there was a brief warning when the Hammers responded with their only real effort of the first 45.

Carlton Cole latched onto a hopeful punt over the top and wrestled for possession before firing in a shot from a tight angle that Pepe Reina was forced to claim on the stretch.

Liverpool continued to maintain the lion's share of possession though and Kyrgiakos should have made it two on 26 minutes but his header from Gerrard's corner bounced into the ground and over the crossbar.

It was developing into another one-sided encounter and the Reds' dominance was reflected on the scoreboard just two minutes later when Ngog smashed home his eighth of the season; a strike that proved to be Liverpool's 100^th league goal at home to the Hammers.

Benayoun glided across the face of the away side's penalty area before feeding Maxi on the right. The Argentine wasted no time in sending in a low cross that the Reds' no. 24 despatched with a low first time shot that proved too hot for Green.

Such a comfortable first 45 has been rarity for Liverpool this season, but they continued to create chances against an abject West Ham rearguard.

First Gerrard swerved a free-kick in a good position on the edge of the visitors' box over the top before Ngog saw his header well blocked by Matthew Upson after Kuyt had nodded a deep cross back across goal.

The Dutch forward then brought a fine fingertip stop from Green with a low shot from distance as the Reds ended the half in total control.

Zola must have been frustrated by the lack of fight in his team and he sent on Guillermo Franco at the restart to try to inspire some fighting spirit.

It almost paid immediate dividends too, but Reina was out to deny the Mexico striker after a clever clipped pass almost sent him clear.

The Hammers' resurgence would be brief, however, and after Lucas crashed a shot high into the Kop, the home side made it three on 59 minutes.

Another whipped free-kick from Gerrard was met by the toe of Kyrgiakos and as the ball bounced back off the post, it smacked against Green and back into the net.

It may have been a somewhat fortuitous strike, but the visitors could have no complaints about the scoreline as Liverpool continued to ask all the questions.

On 79 minutes Daniel Agger went close to repeating his Benfica flick from a Maxi corner, while Green had to gather at the second attempt after the Argentine had threatened to embarrass him further with a near post blockbuster.

Kuyt then sent an ambitious overhead effort into the Kop as Liverpool warmed up for Thursday's Europa League with one of the most comfortable victories of the season.