Liverpool closed to within two points of second-placed Chelsea and plunged West Ham deeper into trouble.

Dirk Kuyt fired Liverpool ahead with a spectacular 25-yard finish only 10 seconds after half-time.

And Peter Crouch's measured drive from the edge of the penalty area doubled Liverpool's lead seven minutes later.

West Ham debut boy Kepa Blanco, on as a substitute, scored with his first touch after 76 minutes, but Liverpool survived for a deserved victory.