Baggies go down

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Albion's players gave everything in a defiant last stand at The Hawthorns to avoid relegation, but Liverpool still stretched their unbeaten league run to 10 matches.

Football Writers' player of the year Steven Gerrard struck his 24th of the season in the first half to record his best seasonal tally to date, with Dirk Kuyt driving in the second with 27 minutes left.

Albion, sticking to their attacking policy, have been battling the drop all season and this was their third relegation from the top flight in seven years.

They fought to the last, and there were more cheers than tears from their defiant fans at the end.

But Liverpool were a class above as Gerrard struck in the first half and then set up Dirk Kuyt for the second just after the hour mark.

The Reds looked uncomfortable early on - but were handed the lead by a shocking piece of defending after 28 minutes. Defender Shelton Martis, with plenty of time on his hands to clear, hesitated in possession and scuffed the ball straight to Gerrard. The Liverpool skipper surged away and clipped the ball over Dean Kiely.

Albion had strong claims for a penalty turned down after 60 minutes when Lucas' last ditch challenge sent Ryan Donk tumbling as he went for a Juan Carlos Menseguez cross.

But after 63 minutes Liverpool struck again. Gerrard fed Kuyt and the Dutchman surged at retreating defenders before drilling the ball past Kiely from the edge of the box.

Luke Moore struck a post for the home side and Marc-Antoine Fortune had an effort disallowed for offside while Ryan Babel and Lucas missed chances at the other end.