Robbie Fowler netted his first goal since returning to his hometown club in January as Liverpool finally found their scoring boots in a 5-1 demolition of Fulham in the English Premier League on Wednesday.
Fowler had been out of luck since moving from Manchester City on a six-month contract but his 16th-minute goal set Liverpool on their way to a comprehensive win that closed the gap on second-placed Manchester United to two points.
Liverpool, in third, have 58 points from 30 games, with United, who have played 28, on 60 and leaders Chelsea on 75.
Fowler's close-range finish after Luis Garcia had flicked on a corner was only the second goal by Liverpool's four strikers this year. His team mates took their cue to inflict more misery on a Fulham side yet to win on their travels this season.
"It has been a long time but thankfully I'm off the mark," said Fowler, who scored 171 goals in 330
"It has put us on the road to a good win. I'm very pleased.
Fulham's Collins John has briefly restored parity after Fowler's goal when the Dutch striker scored following a swift break, but Liverpool were ahead again 11 minutes before halftime through Michael Brown's own goal.
Spaniard Fernando Morientes made it 3-1 20 minutes from time and late goals from Peter Crouch and Stephen Warnock completed the rout.
"There has been a lot of talk about our strikers misfiring and I think we've answered that tonight," added Fowler.
"It wasn't for want of trying -- we were all getting into scoring positions but it wasn't going in for us. Tonight it has clicked."