Liverpool turned on the style in the second half to beat Bolton Wanderers 3-0 at Anfield on Monday and leapfrog their Lancashire rivals into third place in the Premier League.
Excellent volleys by Peter Crouch and Steven Gerrard midway through the second half and a late third goal from Dick Kuyt made up for a poor first half and completed a satisfying holiday period for Rafael Benitez's team.
They move up to 40 points, one ahead of Bolton.
Manchester United, who visit Newcastle United later on Monday, lead the standings on 53 points. Champions Chelsea, who visit Aston Villa on Tuesday, have 47.
Monday's Anfield clash was a meeting of two of the form teams of the division. Bolton have won their last five games and Liverpool five of the last six but the fear of defeat for both sides initially seemed far stronger than the desire to continue those runs.
Liverpool looked the more purposeful but though they dominated first-half possession their chances were limited.
The nearest they came to scoring was a well-struck 25-metre shot by defender Steve Finnan, which was tipped over by goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen in the Finn's 300th league game for Bolton.
Bolton's ambition seemed to entirely consist of defending and hoping to snatch a late goal but in the first hour they did not manage a single attempt on goal.
The game then completely changed complexion in the space of less than two minutes with two superbly-taken goals
Crouch got the first in the 62nd minute when he met a Jermaine Pennant right-wing cross with an overhead kick from 12 metres out.
Kuyt then took over the supply duties, clipping in another cross from the right which Gerrard, awarded an MBE in Queen Elizabeth's New Year's Honours List, met with a neatly-taken, side-footed volley.
The goals released Liverpool's shackles and they went close to a third on several occasions before Kuyt capped a good individual performance by breaking clear and sliding the ball across Jaaskelainen seven minutes from time.
Crouch should have got a fourth in injury time but aimed a point-blank header straight at the goalkeeper.
