Liverpool had the ball in the back of the net almost instantly when Luis Garcia turned in Daniel Agger's pass but the goal was ruled out for offside.
Fernando Morientes had a chance moments later when a delightful through ball from Robbie Fowler sent him through. However, the ball got caught between Morientes' legs and he was unable to get any power on his shot so it was a comfortable save for ex-Red Tony Warner in the Fulham goal.
Liverpool soon got the goal they deserved however when Luis Garcia flicked on Harry Kewell's corner to the back post where Fowler was waiting to head home his first Liverpool goal since his return.
Liverpool went off the boil after taking the lead and allowed Fulham back into the game. The Londoners took advantage when Collins John was sent clear and calmly slotted the ball through Pepe Reina's legs for the equaliser.
The Reds were back in front a couple of minutes before half time however, when a clever ball from Fowler allowed Harry Kewell to drill a pass across the six yard box which was turned into his own net by Michael Brown with Morientes waiting behind him.
Although Zak Knight hit the post for Fulham at 2-1, the second half was all Liverpool. Luis Garcia was unlucky to see a delightful shot cannon back off the bar before the Reds took total control.
Djibril Cisse came on for Fowler after 70 minutes and had an immediate impact. The French international met Steven Gerrard's corner only to see his powerful header saved by Warner. However, in the following goalmouth scramble Morientes was able to slam home the Reds' third and end his personal goal drought.
No Liverpool striker had scored in the league in 2006 before this match but three strikers had got on the scoresheet by the 89th minute when subsitute Peter Crouch flicked home a Steven Gerrard pass to make it 4-1 and there was just enough time for fellow sub Stephen Warnock to get his first Liverpool goal when he fired home through a crowded penalty area before the ref blew for full time.
