Liverpool out played a stubborn West Brom side to secure a two-nil victory at Anfield that lifts them to second in the Premiership.
A well executed header from in-form striker Milan Baros ten minutes in to the second half and a John Arne Riise special in injury time secured the three points for the Reds.
Premiership new boys West Brom battled hard all afternoon, but after they were reduced to ten men in the 35th minute there was only ever going to be one outcome.
Gerard Houllier's men dominated from the start and missed a feast of opportunities to open the scoring in the first half.
Michael Owen, still looking for his first Premiership goal from open play this season, worked hard to create a chance in the twelfth minute but his shot was well blocked by stout defender Lars Sigurdsson.
And West Brom keeper Russell Hoult pulled of a string of fine saves to deny first Bruno Cheyrou, who enjoyed his first league start at Anfield, and Danny Murphy.
But in a cruel twist he turned villain only minutes later, when he pulled down Owen in the box and referee David Elleray had no hesitation in showing Hoult the red card.
It came as they were just starting to find their feet in the game, and had been unlucky not to take the lead through Jason Roberts. Only a super save from Liverpool keeper Jerzy Dudek denied him.
Owen stepped up to take the resulting penalty against sub keeper Joe Murphy, but his weak effort was easily saved and Gary Megson's men held on until half time.
In a rather lack-lustre second period the Reds eventually turned their vastly superior possession in to points through Milan Baros.
The Czech striker headed home a perfectly weighted Steven Gerrard cross to net his third goal in seven days.
And John Arne Riise doubled the lead in injury time, with a rasping drive from the edge of the area