LIVERPOOL continued their charge towards the top of the Premiership keeping leaders Chelsea . . . who had won earlier in the day against Birmingham . . . in sight, courtesy of a 52nd-minute strike by Peter Crouch. The goal was made by Harry Kewell, who cut back a cross that the Englishman got on the end of.

Kewell had threatened on a number of occasions in the first half but it was his presence on the wing that gave Liverpool maximum points.

West Brom had been kept in the match during the opening 45 thanks to goalkeeper Tomasz Kuszczak. He was helped by a visiting side that seemed content to sit back and settle for a point.

It was no surprise either, what with the home side aiming for their 10th straight league win. West Brom had set themselves up to contain and smother the European champions. Crouch was surrounded constantly, as Liverpool worked and probed for openings. Luis Garcia with a tentative 25-yard effort early on was all that tested Kuszczak. But after 14 minutes Kewell unleashed a dipping 25-yard shot which forced the Albion goalkeeper to make a spectacular tipover, and a minute later the goalkeeper beat away a 12yard strike from the Australian after a move down the right.

The game was being played at an almost leisurely pace with Liverpool building slowly, but that played into West Brom's hands as they defended in depth and numbers.

John Arne Riise then got forward to support the attack and hit the inside of the post with a low drive through a packed area. Kewell retrieved the ball and saw his deflected shot palmed away by Kuszczak before the goalkeeper had to deal with Crouch's attempt to reach the dropping ball.

After 26 minutes Liverpool failed to clear Darren Carter's free-kick any further than the edge of the box, but Richard Chaplow lashed a decent opportunity wide.

Kuszczak dealt with a couple of Crouch headers before palming away Steve Finnan's cross, but when Steven Gerrard created space on the edge of the box for a typically blistering drive, the Pole produced an outstanding block.

After a frustrating opening period, Liverpool didn't have to wait long after the break to finally edge ahead, Crouch finally getting the better of Kuszczak and securing the points.