Robbie Fowler scored his first goal in nine games since his return to Liverpool, helping his team beat Fulham 5-1 on Wednesday in the English Premier League.
Fowler, who scored 120 goals in 236 appearances during his first nine-year spell with Liverpool, had gone eight games on his return without hitting the target.
But his 16th-minute header spurred Fernando Morientes and Peter Crouch also to score their first league goals of 2006.
Fulham midfielder Michael Brown turned the ball into his own net and Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock added a fifth. Collins John’s reply for Fulham was a first-half equaliser before Liverpool took control.
The victory means that Liverpool move within two points of second-place Manchester United, while Fulham stay only two places above the relegation zone.
Wednesday’s other game was an FA Cup fifth-round replay between West Ham and Bolton. That game went to extra time with the two teams level at 1-1.
Liverpool’s recent lack of scoring power had led to last week’s elimination from the Champions League and some poor performances in the league. But Fowler led the feast of goals at Anfield.
Luis Garcia flicked on Harry Kewell’s cross and the ball came to Fowler, who headed into the net in front of the Kop fans who had made him one of their all-time greats.
Fulham levelled nine minutes later when Liverpool lost possession and Mark Pembridge found Collins John in plenty of space to shoot past Pepe Reina.
But Liverpool regained the lead in the 34th minute when Luis Garcia fed Kewell on the left and the Australian’s low cross was turned into his own net by Michael Brown.
Morientes scored the third in the 71st minute when goalkeeper Tony Warner blocked Djibril Cisse’s header and the Spaniard netted his first goal of 2006 from 6m.
Crouch turned home a cross from Gerrard with two minutes to go and Warnock’s 25m strike completed Fulham’s misery. — Sapa-AP