Sam Allardyce insisted Liverpool can still win the title after seeing his side cut down at Anfield.
Liverpool were determined to keep the heat on Manchester United, regardless of the depression following the midweek Champions League defeat by Chelsea.
There was no Steven Gerrard, the Liverpool captain left on the bench to nurse his groin injury, but the plan worked as the home side won on cruise control.
Gerrard will now almost certainly be launched into Tuesday's Champions League quarter-final, second leg at Stamford Bridge in a last-ditch attempt to keep Liverpool's European dreams alive.
And they certainly kept their Barclays Premier League hopes on course with a fine display, Fernando Torres scoring two outstanding goals in the first half to set Liverpool on the way to their 27th successive unbeaten home game.
And Allardyce, a frequent critic of Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez, agreed that they could win the title.
He said: "They are certainly capable of winning the title, even if Manchester United have a game in hand.
"If Liverpool keep playing like that and continue with that pace and confidence, it is possible they can win it.
"There will be a lot of twists and turns yet and they certainly believe they can do it."
Benitez hailed Liverpool's "perfect response" to that mauling from Chelsea.
Two Torres goals in the first half put Liverpool in charge before Daniel Agger and substitute David Ngog added further goals near the end.
Benitez said: "We had plenty of very clear chances and in the end it was easy.
"After what happened in midweek against Chelsea, that was the perfect response.
"We had confidence and we were always in control. The first goal was very important, it opened the game up and we were able score more because we had more space.
"Torres' goals were special, we did not have Steven Gerrard but we know we can rely on our other top players. This was Fernando's day to show that."
Benitez, aware that Sir Alex Ferguson had continued their war of words 24 hours earlier by showing surprise that the Spaniard was thinking about him ahead of the Chelsea match, added: "Sir Alex is talking again about Liverpool, I do not mind that but he is maybe showing he is nervous.
"I was more concerned with the way we played, the chances we created and the goals that we scored.
"My only concern was that we did not score more. Goal difference will be very important if this title race goes to the wire.
"So I was pleased that we managed to get another couple near the end. I felt we were always in control and it just depended on whether we made any mistakes to let them back into the game."
Allardyce was critical of his own team.
He said: "I had watched how Didier Drogba had caused them so much trouble in midweek and decided to use Christopher Samba in that role.
"Obviously he is not that quality of player, but it was the same idea. The problem was that we did not support him at all and allowed Liverpool to pick up possession.
"We did not compete enough and they were deserved winners. Samba did okay but he had no help.
"Maybe a bit of fear crept into our lads. It is hard to come to Anfield with several top players out and get anything."
Liverpool were determined to keep the heat on Manchester United, regardless of the depression following the midweek Champions League defeat by Chelsea.
There was no Steven Gerrard, the Liverpool captain left on the bench to nurse his groin injury, but the plan worked as the home side won on cruise control.
Gerrard will now almost certainly be launched into Tuesday's Champions League quarter-final, second leg at Stamford Bridge in a last-ditch attempt to keep Liverpool's European dreams alive.
And they certainly kept their Barclays Premier League hopes on course with a fine display, Fernando Torres scoring two outstanding goals in the first half to set Liverpool on the way to their 27th successive unbeaten home game.
And Allardyce, a frequent critic of Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez, agreed that they could win the title.
He said: "They are certainly capable of winning the title, even if Manchester United have a game in hand.
"If Liverpool keep playing like that and continue with that pace and confidence, it is possible they can win it.
"There will be a lot of twists and turns yet and they certainly believe they can do it."
Benitez hailed Liverpool's "perfect response" to that mauling from Chelsea.
Two Torres goals in the first half put Liverpool in charge before Daniel Agger and substitute David Ngog added further goals near the end.
Benitez said: "We had plenty of very clear chances and in the end it was easy.
"After what happened in midweek against Chelsea, that was the perfect response.
"We had confidence and we were always in control. The first goal was very important, it opened the game up and we were able score more because we had more space.
"Torres' goals were special, we did not have Steven Gerrard but we know we can rely on our other top players. This was Fernando's day to show that."
Benitez, aware that Sir Alex Ferguson had continued their war of words 24 hours earlier by showing surprise that the Spaniard was thinking about him ahead of the Chelsea match, added: "Sir Alex is talking again about Liverpool, I do not mind that but he is maybe showing he is nervous.
"I was more concerned with the way we played, the chances we created and the goals that we scored.
"My only concern was that we did not score more. Goal difference will be very important if this title race goes to the wire.
"So I was pleased that we managed to get another couple near the end. I felt we were always in control and it just depended on whether we made any mistakes to let them back into the game."
Allardyce was critical of his own team.
He said: "I had watched how Didier Drogba had caused them so much trouble in midweek and decided to use Christopher Samba in that role.
"Obviously he is not that quality of player, but it was the same idea. The problem was that we did not support him at all and allowed Liverpool to pick up possession.
"We did not compete enough and they were deserved winners. Samba did okay but he had no help.
"Maybe a bit of fear crept into our lads. It is hard to come to Anfield with several top players out and get anything."
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