Liverpool climbed to fourth place after a 2-0 victory at bottom club Sunderland on Wednesday gave them five wins in a row in the English Premier League.
Luis Garcia put Liverpool ahead after half an hour when he latched on to a long, hopeful pass from fellow Spaniard Xabi Alonso and scored from close range.
Alonso was again the provider at the end of the first half when captain Steven Gerrard, who had earlier hit the post, drove home the second goal.
Liverpool were able to cruise through the second half against a toothless Sunderland team despite having Mali striker Momo Sissoko sent off for a second booking in the 65th minute.
Even with 10 men Liverpool looked the more dangerous and John Arne Riise hit the bar in the 74th minute.
Champions Chelsea lead the Premier League with 37 points, Manchester United have 27, Arsenal 26 and Liverpool 25.
Then come Wigan Athletic (25), Tottenham Hotspur (24) and Bolton Wanderers (23). Liverpool face Wigan at Anfield on Saturday.
Sunderland's seventh successive defeat left them rooted to the bottom with five points from 15 games.
