Steven Gerrard scored twice in the 3-0 win against West Ham to send Liverpool top of the Barclays Premier League and keep alive their slim title hopes.

With Manchester United playing on Sunday, Rafael Benitez's men overtook them on goal difference but time has almost run out and they only have two matches left.

Gerrard scored twice in the first half, the second coming from the penalty spot, and Ryan Babel added a third late on as the Reds cruised to victory at Upton Park.

Liverpool's hopes this season have been built on the firepower of Fernando Torres and Gerrard - and the pair combined after 76 seconds for the opener.

Torres received the ball in midfield but was given the time to turn and pick his pass, threading ball through to Gerrard beyond the Hammers defence.

The hosts were claiming offside but James Tomkins had played Gerrard on, with the England midfielder taking the ball around Robert Green and finishing into an empty net.

Luis Boa Morte then suffered a nightmare 30 seconds that resulted in conceding a penalty just before the break.

He was furious that no free-kick was given when Javier Mascherano brought him down, then chased back to own penalty area and hauled down Torres when Yossi Benayoun scooped the ball through. Green saved Gerrard's spot-kick but the rebound fell to the Liverpool captain to tap home.

David di Michele should have pulled when back when he seized on a mistake by Jamie Carragher. He raced through and got his feet tangled up as he tried to take the ball around Reina. It was a shocking miss and referee Alan Wiley rubbed salt in the wound by booking the Italian for diving.

The visitors added a third through Babel with five minutes remaining. Dirk Kuyt crossed for his fellow Dutchman, Green saved the initial header but the rebound was tapped home.