Steven Gerrard enjoyed the luxury of putting his feet up early after inspiring Liverpool's 5-0 romp over 10-man West Brom at The Hawthorns.
The inspirational captain will play an essential role in his side's busy festive programme which could go a long way towards securing a place back in next season's Champions League.
Reds boss Rafael Benitez relished the chance to take Gerrard off with half an hour remaining with his job well and truly done.
Gerrard set up John Arne Riise's 17th minute opener with an inch-perfect lob and rattled home Liverpool's third in the 55th minute. In between Florent Sinama Pongolle volleyed his first Premiership goal since this day last year against the rock-bottom Baggies who stood next to no chance after Cosmin Contra's 39th minute dismissal.
Shot-happy Riise grabbed his second with six minutes to go when he blasted home a rising effort from Xabi Alonso's cross to take his season's tally to four.
There was still time for substitute Luis Garcia to finish off Riise's cross-shot with two minutes left to round off a commanding display.
Only Russell Hoult's first-half penalty save was a bright spot for the beleaguered Baggies after Contra handled Antonio Nunez's goal-bound header earning him a red card and the Reds a spot-kick.
Hoult saved well from Milan Baros but his boss Bryan Robson was still left searching for his first win after seven matches in charge.
Benitez's men were clearly a class apart from the moment inside the first half-minute when Gerrard blazed a long-range effort over the bar from the edge of the box.
Liverpool now lie in sixth place - six points behind Manchester United who currently occupy the fourth Champions League place – and centre-back Jamie Carragher is expecting the Reds to mount a serious top four bid in 2005.
"We're a few points behind the top four but I'm confident we will sort out the league form in the second half of the season," the England defender told Sky Sports.
"We've had injuries but we're getting a few back now and I'm sure the manager will be looking to add a few players during the January transfer window," he added.
However, Anfield supremo Rafael Benitez will not read too much into his side's emphatic win.
"It was a good game for us," he said. "We played well although we sometimes did not keep the ball. After the penalty and the sending off it was easy.
"First half we were controlling the game, it's important to win and score goals but it is more important for me to see the team play well.
"When you start winning you show more confidence. We have three more points and we'll see about the next game.
"We know we played against 10 players. I hope, in our next game, to be closer. The most important thing is the next two games are at home, we normally play well at home."
Benitez's side will entertain struggling Southampton at Anfield on Tuesday.
