Reds ease to victory

Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez showed more signs of forging a potent strike partnership as Liverpool strolled to a 2-0 victory over West Brom - and former Reds manager Roy Hodgson - at the Hawthorns.

A Charlie Adam penalty and Carroll's third goal of the campaign confirmed Liverpool's superiority as they climbed into fifth spot in the Barclays Premier League.

But it was the way that Carroll and Suarez gelled which would have given the most satisfaction to Reds boss Kenny Dalglish.

After eight minutes Adam put Liverpool ahead from the penalty spot.

Suarez was bundled into by Jerome Thomas and referee Lee Mason pointed to the spot after his assistant Gary Beswick flagged for a foul.

Albion's players were incensed by the decision but up stepped Adam to send Ben Foster the wrong way from the spot for his second goal of the campaign.

Then after 45 minutes Carroll made it 2-0. Lucas' fine pass picked out Suarez and he released Carroll who clipped wide of the advancing Foster for his fifth goal in 21 games for Liverpool.

Liverpool began the second half on the offensive and Jordan Henderson failed to make proper contact on his shot after Carroll found him in space.

Albion came close for the first time after 47 minutes when Somen Tchoyi was inches wide with his low cross shot.

Jonas Olsson headed wide from a Chris Brunt corner but it was too little, too late from the Baggies and in injury time the woodwork denied Stewart Downing his first Liverpool goal.