For the second time in seven days, Roy Hodgson had the name of a club legend ringing in his ears.
But it wasn't chants from fans pining for the managerial return of Kenny Dalglish that were ringing around Anfield but a beckoning plea for Paolo Di Canio from the travelling West Ham fans whose patience with Avram Grant had finally expired.
Their current plight has put Liverpool's rare languishing in the relegation places of the Barclays Premier League earlier in the campaign into perspective whilst their performance also indicated the gulf in standards between Merseyside and East London.
Liverpool were allowed to stride confidently and should, in fairness, have found themselves more than three goals to the good owing to the lack of fight from their opponents.
Glen Johnson's return from injury could not have come at a better time or against better opposition in the form of the team who handed him the initial platform from which he has launched such a distinguished career at both club and international level.
But his form for Liverpool had been lacking and his 18th-minute strike heralded the return of a player whose potential has often been questioned in recent weeks by his manager, who was highly delighted that his constructive criticism had had the desired effect.
"Strangely enough I think Glen probably profited from the fact that he's been obliged to undergo an enforced rest with the injury," said Hodgson.
"It's taken a while for him to get over the injury but certainly he's been fit and has trained hard all week.
"I thought he was full of running, enthusiasm and energy, and furthermore he scored a very important goal. The first goal in a game like this is always an important one and Glen got it.
"It was just nice to see him playing so well and showing the fans how well he can play."
Although Fernando Torres did not register a third goal in two games at Anfield, he was instrumental in helping Liverpool extend their advantage shortly before the half-hour mark when he bustled past several defenders and saw Danny Gabbidon handle in the area.
In Steven Gerrard's absence, Dirk Kuyt stepped up to convert from the penalty spot with a cool effort straight down the middle, followed by a salute to his sidelined captain for the advice he had given him prior to the match.
The footballing exhibitionism continued as Liverpool continued to enjoy the lion's share of possession and chances, and added a third shortly before the interval when Paul Konchesky's cross allowed an unmarked Maxi Rodriguez to nonchalantly head home.
The Argentine winger has been somewhat talismanic for Liverpool of late dating back to his late winning strike against Bolton Wanderers at the end of October and offered options his side have been lacking
For a team that has been ravaged by injury and suspension over the past seven days, Liverpool were solid throughout and provided outgoing chairman Martin Broughton with a final game that mirrored his first as Anfield supremo against the same opponents back in April.
LIVERPOOL (4-4-2): Reina,;Konchesky, Johnson, Carra, Skrtel; Maxi, Meireles (Shelvey 83), Poulsen, Kuyt; Ngog (Aurelio 73), Torres (Babel 84). Subs (not used): Jones, Eccleston, Kyrgiakos, Kelly.
WEST HAM (4-3-3): Green; Gabbidon, Ilunga (Tomkings 76), Jacobsen, Upson; Boa Morte, Kovac, Noble; Obinna (Barrera 45), Cole (McCarthy 69), Piquionne. Subs (not used): Stech, Reid, Spector, Nouble.
Goals: Johnson (18), Kuyt (PEN 27), Maxi (38)
Bookings: Noble
Referee: Lee Probert
Attendance: 43,024
MATCH STATS
Possession: Liverpool 62% West Ham 38%
Shots: Liverpool 19 West Ham 6
On Target: Liverpool 11 West Ham 1
Corners: Liverpool 10 West Ham 2
Fouls: Liverpool 8 West Ham 8
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tonythetruth, merseyside around 1 year, 6 months ago