WEST Ham remain rock-bottom of the Premier League after a shocking first-half display at Anfield this evening.

The Hammers found themselves 3-0 down at the break in what was a totally one-sided opening 45 minutes.

And there was no way back after the interval, though a little bit of pride was restored.

However, the visitors never really forced home keeper Pepe Reina into a save during the entire game in what was a very poor performance.

The absence of Scott Parker did not help matters, but West Ham showed little fight and could have lost by more Liverpool started like they meant business and Robert Green was forced into an early save, pushing away David Ngog's low drive with just three minutes on the clock.

Maxi Rodriguez then drove just wide, as the Hammers looked to get a foothold in the game.

On ten minutes, Ngog set up Fernando Torres in a central position, but his shot was wide of the post.

It was all the hosts and no surprise when they scored on 18 minutes from a corner, Glen Johnson chesting down and shooting past Green from about 15 yards.

It was no more than Liverpool deserved, the Hammers having barely ventured out of their own half.

Worse was to come when Danny Gabbidon handled in the box and Dirk Kuyt sent Green the wrong way from the spot for number two on 28 minutes.

West Ham finally carved out their first chance ten minutes before the break, but Carlton Cole's header was easy meat for Reina in the Liverpool goal.

And normal service was resumed at the other end a minute later, Rodriguez glancing home a Paul Konchesky cross with his head for number three on 37 minutes.

The Hammers found a bit more space in the second half and saw a bit more of the ball, but the hosts just looked like they were in cruise control.

Midway through the second half, Rodriguez almost scored a fourth, but his delicate chip from the left, as Green narrowed the angle, went across the face of the goal, missing the far post by a matter of inches.

With 20 minutes to go, Green made a superb double save. First, he pushed a Torres drive on to the post and then turned behind a Christian Poulsen cracker.

Fabio Aurelio was just over with a swirling drive on 82 minutes, Liverpool still looking the likelier to add another.

The same player had another chance soon after, but put a header over this time.

WEST HAM: Green; Jacobsen, Upson, Gabbidon, Ilunga (Tomkins 76); Noble, Kovac, Boa Morte; Obinna (Barrera 45), Piquionne, Cole (McCarthy 68).

Subs: Stech, Nouble, Reid, Spector.