Liverpool were two up after twenty minutes when Fernando Morientes and then Xabi Alonso played in Gerrard for his first goals of the new season. Liverpool could have added a couple more before half time, Morientes twice going close along with Steve Finnan.
In the second half the Reds' rustiness showed as despite having all the possession they were unable to create many clear cut chances.
Bolo Zenden made his Anfield debut in the second half and Djibril Cisse was introduced for the last ten minutes to give Liverpool more attacking edge. The subsitutions paid off a minute from the end when Gerrard completed his hat-trick.