Luis Suarez was still on Cloud Nine probably at the same time Fulham headed for home after crash-landing at Anfield.
Suarez definitely scored two to make it eight goals in six Premier League games but will have argued long and hard on his flight to Istanbul last night that he should have had a hat-trick.
The Uruguayan, meeting up for the World Cup play-off against Jordan on Wednesday, got his head to Liverpool’s first but the ball cannoned off Fernando Amorebieta and the own goal spoilsports gave their judgment.
Centre-back Martin Skrtel scored before Suarez bagged the third and fourth with magnificent skipper Steven Gerrard playing a key role in all four goals as Liverpool kept soaring skywards.
Boss Brendan Rodgers said: “There’s a positive mindset and a good belief in the squad. There was a hunger to get the ball and over 30 shots on goal. It was all about continuing to turn the screw.
“Steven Gerrard’s delivery is as good as it gets. No-one delivers the ball like Steven.
“We’re taking it game by game but we’re collecting points. Our mentality is good and we’re relentless in these types of games, really aggressive.”
Poor Fulham were left to pick their way through the debris with manager Martin Jol destroyed by the striker he loved having around in their time together when he was boss of Ajax.
Definitely no hugs and kisses this time as Suarez took the man of the match honours off his captain with another exhibition of striking superiority which heaped even more pressure on his old boss.
Jol remains defiant about his managerial ability and said: “It’s not the end of the world. You have to keep cool and every manager in the bottom six must keep fighting.
“You have to be an expert if you are in the bottom four or five to keep the team up and there are not a lot of experts.”
The carnage started whe Gerrard swung over a telling 23rd-minute free-kick and Suarez’s header smacked into Amorebieta’s frame and flew past keeper Maarten Stekelenburg.
Less than three minutes later, Gerrard’s pinpoint corner invited a run from Skrtel and he obliged with a powerful header into the corner.
Liverpool went for the kill in the 36th minute as Gerrard nutmegged Dimitar Berbatov and swept a pass out right to Jordan Henderson who slotted through for Suarez to guide the ball home amid wild celebrations. The half-time breather could not have come quick enough for the Cottagers with Jol desperate to rejuvenate his battered boys.
But it was more of the same in the second half.
Stekelenburg was forced into a breathtaking double save from Suarez and Daniel Sturridge within a minute of the restart and, in the 54th minute, Liverpool went four ahead in formidable fashion.
Kieran Richardson was caught in possession and Gerrard threaded the ball through for Suarez to pick his spot in front of a rapturous Kop.
Ouch! That really hurt Jol and Fulham who had no answer to the score-at-will dominance of a Liverpool side on full, devastating power. Jol just slumped into his seat in the dugout, arms folded, watching the demolition as Fulham braced themselves for more heartbreak but this time Suarez curled over the target.
Philippe Coutinho brought another steady save from Stekelenburg who did not show any signs of the shell-shock you would expect after such a menacing mauling.
He must have been mightily relieved that Liverpool took their foot off the accelerator and prevented further humiliation.
That is a point Rodgers will have addressed to his high-flyers, stressing that they must maintain a ruthless streak throughout 90 minutes if their dream of a Champions League place is to be realised.
But while he has Suarez in such awesome form anything is possible, with the final applause reserved for a cheeky back-flick which just missed the target.
LIVERPOOL (4-1-3-2): Mignolet; Johnson, Cissokho (Enrique 61), Agger, Skrtel; Leiva, Henderson, Coutinho, Gerrard (Allen 67); Suarez, Sturridge (Moses 76). Subs (not used): Jones, Sakho, Alberto, Sterling.
GOALS: Amorebieta (o.g. 23), Skrtel (26), Suarez (36, 54).
FULHAM (4-2-3-1): Stekelenburg; Zverotic (Hughes 61), Richardson, Senderos, Amorebieta; Parker, Sidwell; Dejagah, Kasami, Kacaniklic (Ruiz 45); Berbatov (Karagounis 83). Subs (not used): Stockdale, Boateng, Taraabt, Bent.
BOOKED: Parker.
REFEREE: Mike Jones (Cheshire).
ATTENDANCE: 44,768.
