Liverpool brush Hammers aside

Milan Baros heads Liverpool in front at West Ham

West Ham United 0-3 Liverpool

Liverpool piled on the agony for West Ham United as they strolled to an impressive victory at Upton Park.

Milan Baros and Steven Gerrard killed the game off with goals inside the first 10 minutes as West Ham's first home league victory against Blackburn proved to be a false dawn.

West Ham v Liverpool in pictures

Liverpool were in ruthless mood and were able to take advantage of West Ham defending that at times bordered on the farcical.

Emile Heskey's third after the break was no more than Liverpool deserved - and puts the pressure back on beleaguered Hammers boss Glenn Roeder.

West Ham faced a very strong Liverpool

Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier

Liverpool counterpart Gerard Houllier made a surprise selection by preferring Baros to Michael Owen - but it was a choice that was swiftly rewarded by the young Czech after seven minutes.

West Ham's woeful defence had already demonstrated frayed nerves before Baros was left totally unmarked to meet John Arne Riise's corner to head home from inside the six-yard box.

And the Hammers were left stunned two minutes later when Gerrard doubled Liverpool's advantage.

Steven Gerrard scores Liverpool's second

David James failed to clear Riise's corner, and Gerrard fired past the stranded keeper from 25 yards.

It gave Liverpool an instant stranglehold on the game as West Ham produced an opening 45 minutes that confirmed exactly why they have won only once at home in the league this season.

We have to get our own house in order and show more fight

West Ham manager Glenn Roeder

Liverpool almost delivered a carbon of their start after the break, Sami Hyypia meeting another Riise corner unmarked but heading wastefully wide.

Roeder made a change after 56 minutes, sending on Freddie Kanoute for the lack-lustre Les Ferdinand.

He shot over the top before Liverpool added a third after 67 minutes following more shambolic West Ham defending.

Steven Gerrard turns to celebrate his goal

Hyypia escaped his marker Kanoute from Riise's corner, and Heskey fought off a feeble attempt to claim the ball from James to bundle home.

It was the cue for Liverpool to introduce Owen in place of the excellent Baros.

West Ham's first real chance came with 17 minutes left when Jamie Carragher's mistake gave Paolo di Canio an opportunity, but the previously unemployed Jerzy Dudek plunged at his feet to save.

But the rest of the game was played out in almost testimonial style, with West Ham resigned to defeat and Liverpool claiming an easy three points.

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West Ham: James, Johnson, Repka, Dailly, Winterburn, Bowyer, Carrick, Cole, Sinclair, Les Ferdinand, Di Canio. Subs: Van Der Gouw, Defoe, Kanoute, Brevett, Schemmel.

Liverpool: Dudek, Carragher, Hyypia, Henchoz, Riise, Smicer, Diouf, Murphy, Gerrard, Heskey, Baros. Subs: Arphexad, Owen, Hamann, Cheyrou, Traore.

Referee: M Messias (N Yorkshire)