Liverpool were comfortable last night from the moment Peter Crouch put them ahead after 19 minutes. Dirk Kuyt sent a deep cross into the six yard box and Crouch reacted quickest to steer the ball home for the opener. Crouch then sent a snap shot just the wrong side of the post and saw a header sail over the bar.
Yossi Benayoun played in Kuyt but the Dutch striker failed to hit the target. Kuyt had another chance before the break but again didn't work the goalkeeper.
Any worries that these missed chances could prove costly were extinguished in the 49th minute when Sami Hyypia met a corner from home debutant Benayoun to head home for 2-0.
The second goal killed the game as a contest and the Reds were able to relax and treat the game almost as a training match. Rafa Benitez was able to rest Daniel Agger, Leto and Momo Sissoko, bringing on Steve Finnan, Ryan Babel and Lucas Levia in the second half.
It was Babel who played in Kuyt in the 87th minute as the Dutch connection put the Reds 3-0 up. Kuyt then got his second of the night in injury time after some good work from Yossi Benayoun.