West Brom 0-2 Liverpool

West Brom suffered Premier League relegation after losing to Liverpool.
Steven Gerrard robbed Shelton Martis before dinking the ball in for the first, with Dirk Kuyt driving home a shot in the second half to make it 2-0.
The home side were denied a penalty for a Leiva Lucas tackle on Marc-Antoine Fortune while Luke Moore hit the post.
West Brom's late surge even provoked a heated exchange between Jamie Carragher and Alvaro Arbeloa, with the Liverpool defenders angrily pushing one another.
Arbeloa had blocked a Fortune shot but Carragher was unhappy at the Spaniard's failure to close down the Baggies forward sooner and the Liverpool centre-back still appeared to be fuming after the final whistle.
West Brom went into the match without striker Roman Bednar, who was suspended by the club pending an investigation into newspaper allegations that he bought drugs after the recent 3-1 victory over Wigan.
Despite the absence of the Czech international, the Baggies stuck to their attacking principles throughout and were backed by a vociferous and loyal crowd.
They wasted numerous chances during their late rally but the real curse of their season has been poor defending, and that weakness again reared its head to undermine their efforts after a promising start.
Liverpool had seen their title hopes ended after Manchester United beat them to the Premier League crown after getting the point they needed with a draw against Arsenal on Saturday.
And, the combination of Liverpool's deflation with West Brom's desperation for at least a draw to stave off relegation, saw the home side quickly take a stranglehold of the game.
The hosts were only denied taking the lead by a smart double save from Reds keeper Jose Reina.
Liverpool striker Fernando Torres inadvertently flicked on a corner to Jonathan Greening at the far post but the Baggies skipper saw his first-time shot saved and the rebound blocked by the legs of Reina.
West Brom's energy, enthusiasm and hunger had the visitors rocking before the Reds belatedly raised themselves from their stupor.
Torres and Emiliano Insua had shots blocked as they tried to shoot through a crowded Baggies defence before Liverpool were gifted the lead.
Centre-back Martis dallied on the ball and Gerrard robbed him of possession, drove through on to the home goal and lifted a shot over the on-rushing keeper Dean Kiely to score his 24th goal of the season.
They almost went further behind but Kiely tipped over a flicked Torres header form a Gerrard cross.
The Baggies had to commit more men to attack after the break and, after being wrongly ruled onside, were nearly rewarded.
Menseguez crossed for Fortune, who missed the ball as he fell under a challenge from Lucas with the referee waving away appeals for a spot-kick.
The Baggies were leaving themselves short in defence and Liverpool eventually took advantage when Kuyt manoeuvred himself to the edge of the box and drove in a low shot.
West Brom kept pressing and stretched a Reds defence which needed a lunge from Carragher to divert a Fortune shot over before the Baggies striker sent a point-blank header horribly over.
But the Reds closed out the win to move on to 83 points, which is their highest points total since 1987-88 when they notched 90 points on their way to the old Division One title played over 40 games instead of the current 38 of the Premier League.
West Brom, however, now face another season in the Championship after only one season back in the top flight following their promotion last year.
West Brom: Kiely, Zuiverloon, Martis (Borja Valero 56), Olsson, Donk, Brunt, Mulumbu (Moore 68), Greening, Koren, Menseguez, Fortune.Subs Not Used: Carson, Filipe Teixeira, Meite, Simpson, Wood.
Booked: Greening, Olsson.
Liverpool: Reina, Arbeloa, Agger, Carragher, Insua, Lucas, Mascherano (Alonso 51), Kuyt, Gerrard, Benayoun (Ngog 73), Torres (Babel 68).Subs Not Used: Cavalieri, Dossena, Riera, Skrtel.
Goals: Gerrard 28, Kuyt 63.
Att: 26,138
Ref: Martin Atkinson (W Yorkshire).

West Ham 0-3 Liverpool

Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres were back in tandem to devastating effect as Liverpool returned to the Premier League summit - at least temporarily - with a comfortable victory at West Ham United.
Liverpool's captain and the Spain striker were making only their 12th league appearance of the season together at Upton Park.
And they gave a demonstration of what Liverpool have missed in their absence as they spearheaded the win that put Rafael Benitez's side back on top of the table on goal difference - although title favourites Manchester United crucially have two games in hand.
The pair combined as Liverpool took the lead inside two minutes when Torres unlocked the West Ham defence with a perfect pass that allowed Gerrard to run clear and round West Ham keeper Robert Green to finish in style.
And, when Torres was fouled by Luis Boa Morte seven minutes before the interval, Gerrard scored from a rebound after his penalty was saved by Green.
Liverpool wrapped up the formalities six minutes from time when substitute Ryan Babel scored from Dirk Kuyt's cross after his first effort was blocked by the unfortunate Green.
West Ham entered the game with their sights set on qualifying for the Europa League via seventh place, but they never recovered from Gerrard's opening salvo and anxious moments were few and far between for Liverpool.
Radoslav Kovac headed Mark Noble's free-kick over the bar, but their best opportunity was wasted in almost comic fashion by David di Michele just before half-time, when he stumbled and fell to the ground as looked poised to round Liverpool keeper Pepe Reina and reduce the arrears.

Liverpool made light of the absence of influential midfield man Xabi Alonso, out injured after the tackle that earned Newcastle United's Joey Barton a red card at Anfield last Sunday, and always carried too much firepower for West Ham.
Benitez admitted before the game that all Liverpool could do was to keep winning and hope to force a mistake from Manchester United, and it was mission accomplished as they comfortably negotiated a fixture that was widely seen as potentially hazardous.
It means United drop to second place, at least until they play neighbours Manchester City on Sunday, and while the odds remain firmly in favour of the title staying at Old Trafford, Liverpool and boss Benitez can rightly take much satisfaction in the fact they have pushed them all the way.
They Reds will also reflect on the fact that their two players of undoubted world-class quality, Gerrard and Torres, have been unable to inflict their deadly partnership on the Premier League on so many occasions this season.
West Ham boss Zola, meanwhile, was given a close-up and sobering view of the gap between his side and those operating at the top end of the table.
Liverpool knew only victory would suffice if they were to harbour serious hopes of pushing the title race to the wire - and they got the perfect start as they delivered the swiftest of blows to take the lead.
Torres slipped a slide-rule pass through to Gerrard, and as West Ham's defence appealed in vain for offside Liverpool's captain rounded Green and finished expertly, never looking for a moment like he would squander the opportunity.
West Ham's confidence was knocked by that early setback, but they did finally muster a threat on Liverpool's goal after 26 minutes when Kovac beat Reina to Noble's free-kick, only to send his header over the top.
But any hopes of a West Ham revival looked to be snuffed out seven minutes before the interval when Gerrard doubled Liverpool's lead after an incident that left the home fans fuming.
Boa Morte clearly felt he has been fouled near the edge of his own penalty area, but foolishly reacted by pulling Torres' shirt inside the area, with referee Alan Wiley perfectly placed to give the decision.
Gerrard saw his spot-kick superbly saved by Green, but reacted first ahead of West Ham's defenders to steer in the rebound as the keeper scrambled desperately across his goal.
West Ham then missed an opportunity to grasp at a lifeline in a farcical incident three minutes before half-time.
Di Michele took advantage of Jamie Carragher's mistake to race clear and round Reina, but he tripped right in front of goal and when he tried to salvage the situation with a dive was left embarrassed as he was booked by referee Riley.
Torres almost added to West Ham's hurt when a moment of defensive hesitation allowed him to get in a header, but it looped agonisingly off target.
Liverpool almost put the game out of sight six minutes after the break when - with Matthew Upson off the field receiving treatment - Kuyt found Yossi Benayoun at the far post, but the former West Ham midfield man could not keep his volley down.
West Ham struggled to inflict any serious blows on Liverpool's rearguard, and it was no surprise when Zola made a change after 59 minutes when he replaced Junior Stanislas with Jack Collison.
But it was Liverpool who made the next opportunity when they sprang on West Ham from their free-kick to break clear, but when Gerrard found Kuyt, Green was alert enough to make a crucial block.
Liverpool rounded off an impressive performance in style six minutes from time when Gerrard found Kuyt raiding down the right.
He found Babel unmarked only eight yards out, and he slammed home an emphatic finish after Green blocked his first attempt.
It crowned an efficient display from Liverpool - and at least gave Manchester United food for thought ahead of the derby at Old Trafford.
West Ham: Green, Neill, Tomkins, Upson, Ilunga, Boa Morte (Payne 80), Noble, Kovac, Stanislas (Collison 59), Di Michele (Sears 70), Tristan.Subs Not Used: Lastuvka, Lopez, Nsereko, Spector.
Booked: Boa Morte, Kovac, Di Michele.
Liverpool: Reina, Arbeloa, Skrtel, Carragher, Aurelio (Insua 54), Benayoun (Dossena 82), Mascherano, Lucas, Gerrard, Kuyt, Torres (Babel 72).Subs Not Used: Cavalieri, Hyypia, Ngog, Degen.
Booked: Aurelio, Mascherano.
Goals: Gerrard 2, 38, Babel 84.
Att: 34,951
Ref: Alan Wiley (Staffordshire).

Liverpool 3-0 Newcastle

Liverpool maintained their title hopes with a comfortable win that keeps Newcastle deep in relegation trouble.
Yossi Benayoun got the first, despite a suspicion of offside, and headers from Dirk Kuyt and Lucas Leiva sealed it.
Newcastle boss Alan Shearer had left Michael Owen on the bench but it was slack defending that cost the visitors, who also had Joey Barton sent off.
Liverpool move within three points of leaders Manchester United, while Newcastle are three points from safety.
As widely predicted, Shearer took the brave step of naming Owen as a substitute and starting with Mark Viduka playing just ahead of Peter Lovenkrands and Obafemi Martins.
And while Liverpool had Steven Gerrard back in midfield for the first time in five matches, Newcastle must have been buoyed by the absence of Fernando Torres from the squad because of a hamstring injury.
In bright sunshine the visitors started well, with Viduka bringing in Martins and Lovenkrands on the flanks as Newcastle dominated possession.
The only early threat from Liverpool came after 14 minutes when Gerrard was pulled down outside the box by Fabricio Coloccini, who was lucky to escape a booking, but the England midfielder's free-kick was comfortably saved by Steve Harper.
Moments later, Gerrard made Harper work again with a stinging shot as the Newcastle defence backed away, and Kuyt then sent an inviting header wide from six yards as Liverpool upped the pressure.
In a frenetic period of play, Lovenkrands managed to get round Jose Reina in the Liverpool goal but the angle was too tight for the Dane to finish.
The breakthrough came on 22 minutes after Viduka gave the ball away with a curious header back towards his own goal.
Alan Smith then failed to control a weak Gerrard cross and Kuyt pounced to fire across goal, allowing Benayoun to scramble the ball over the line with his knee despite appeals for offside.
But Liverpool did not have to wait long for number two as Gerrard's corner on 28 minutes was met by a flying header from a totally unmarked Kuyt.
Liverpool assumed total control for the rest of the first half, with Xabi Alonso's long-range curling strike thumping the crossbar and his team-mates raining shots down on Harper's goal.
Shearer took off Lovenkrands at the break and replaced the forward with Argentine Jonas Gutierrez, rather than Owen, but the pattern of play did not alter.
Liverpool continued to move forward as Newcastle's defence looked shaky and Gerrard flashed a left-footed drive across the face of goal five minutes into the second half.
When Newcastle did manage to escape their own half they produced little, with Barton - back for the first time since January - and Damien Duff wasting good crossing opportunities.
The frustration got to the combative Smith, who was booked for a two-footed lunge on the hour, while Liverpool brought on Ryan Babel for Albert Riera as they camped in the visitors' half.
Alonso struck the bar for the second time in the match with another curling effort before Gerrard missed a golden opportunity in acres of space on the edge of the box, pulling his shot wide.
With the match increasingly resembling a training exercise for the home side, the intensity was raised dramatically when Barton slid in with both feet on Alonso as the Spaniard kept possession by the corner flag.
Referee Phil Dowd showed Barton a red card and the midfielder applauded in the direction of the Newcastle fans before walking past an unmoved Shearer on the touchline.
Meanwhile, Alonso was given an ovation from the Kop as he was stretchered off, and the applause continued for Owen, finally brought on with 10 minutes remaining.
The ex-Liverpool striker had no chance to make any impact, however, as his former side kept up the pressure, and unmarked substitute Lucas Leiva rounded off the easiest of wins by heading in Fabio Aurelio's free-kick three minutes from time.
There was still time for Gerrard to hit the bar but a late injury to Javier Mascherano, on the back of Alonso's earlier departure and the failure of Torres to make the squad, were the only negatives for title-chasing Liverpool.
Liverpool: Reina, Arbeloa, Carragher, Agger, Aurelio, Alonso (Lucas 80), Mascherano (Ngog 89), Benayoun, Gerrard, Riera (Babel 63), Kuyt.Subs Not Used: Cavalieri, Dossena, El Zhar, Skrtel.
Goals: Benayoun 22, Kuyt 28, Lucas 87.
Newcastle: Harper, Beye, Coloccini, Bassong, Duff, Smith, Butt, Martins (Owen 80), Barton, Lovenkrands (Gutierrez 46), Viduka (Nolan 80). Subs Not Used: Krul, Guthrie, Edgar, Carroll.
Sent Off: Barton (77).
Booked: Smith, Coloccini.
Att: 44,121
Ref: Phil Dowd (Staffordshire).

Hull 1-3 Liverpool

Again, my idol Steven Gerrard is not playing as he's not yet recovered from his injury. Liverpool maintained their title hopes with a win at relegation-threatened Hull who finished the game with 10 men.
Xabi Alonso powered in a thunderous strike after his initial free-kick was blocked to put the visitors ahead.
On the hour, Caleb Folan was sent-off for kicking out at Martin Skrtel, whose mis-timed shot was headed in by Dirk Kuyt to make it 2-0.
Geovanni slotted in to revive Hull's hopes of a draw but Kuyt hit his second when Alvaro Arbeloa's shot fell to him.
Hull were left aggrieved by some of referee Martin Atkinson's decisions but their performance should give manager Phil Brown optimism that they can avoid relegation.
The last time these teams met the Tigers drew 2-2 at Anfield on 13 December to pick up their 27th point and sit comfortably in the top half of the table.
But in 16 games since then they have won just once and earned just seven points, leaving them hovering precariously above the bottom three.
Fernando Torres had a 10-yard angled sidefoot tipped over by keeper Boaz Myhill but having survived that early scare Hull quickly set about their task.
They snapped into tackles as they closed Liverpool down with an urgency and passion.
The in-form Yossi Benanyoun was one of the few Liverpool players able to keep possession and he went close when he curled a strike on to the roof of the net.
Hull responded with a Geovanni piledriver that flew past the angle of Jose Reina's goal and a Liverpool defence that has conceded eight goals in their last two matches was looking shaky.
Benitez unhappy with Hull's 'terrible' pitch
And Arbeloa had to clear a goalbound Dean Marney header as Liverpool continued to give Hull plenty of reason for optimism.
At the other end, Hull had a discipline and organisation that Liverpool were struggling to break through.
Alonso is renowned for his ability to pick a pass but was continually frustrated as he tried to pick a way through the Hull's defence.
In the end, it was not the Spaniard's guile and vision that breached the Tigers defence but pure power after the Reds were awarded a dubious free-kick for a George Boateng challenge on Javier Mascherano.
Alonso's initial effort was blocked by the wall but he half-volleyed the rebound unerringly into the bottom corner.
Hull's cause was not helped when Folan - being blocked from chasing a backpass by Skrtel - kicked out at the centre-back and was deservedly red-carded.
It got worse when Benayoun's cross was only cleared to Skrtel, whose shot was diverted past keeper Myhill by Kuyt's header.
Hull were clearly unhappy with the performance of referee Atkinson and felt there had been a handball by Lucas Leiva in the build up to Liverpool's second goal.
But the home side kept fighting and were rewarded with Geovanni's goal from Daniel Cousin's cross to set up a frantic finish.
Torres stuck the woodwork with a header before Hull's hopes were ended when Kuyt struck his second to briefly move Liverpool top on goal difference ahead of Manchester United's 5-2 victory over Tottenham.
Hull boss Phil Brown: "We were having to pick players up at half-time after an injustice was done.
"We knew it was going to be tough and somebody has let them off the hook. I cannot see a free-kick there.
"I have no excuses for the sending off. I feel it was justified and it will be dealt with in-house. That killed us, 10 against 11, and Caleb made it a little bit easier for them."
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez hailed Dirk Kuyt: "Everybody is very pleased for him.
"Kuyt is a fantastic professional and is always working hard to score. He was very positive and we are really pleased for him.
"We were working very hard and we have to be satisfied. We were nervous because the pitch was terrible and difficult to pass on."
Hull: Myhill, Ricketts, Zayatte, Turner, Kilbane, Fagan (Mendy 62), Boateng (Manucho 79), Marney, Geovanni, Barmby (Cousin 62), Folan.Subs Not Used: Duke, Hughes, Garcia, Halmosi.
Sent Off: Folan (59).
Booked: Marney, Barmby, Fagan.
Goals: Geovanni 72.
Liverpool: Reina, Arbeloa, Carragher, Skrtel, Insua, Kuyt (Dossena 90), Alonso, Mascherano (El Zhar 84), Benayoun (Agger 87), Lucas, Torres.Subs Not Used: Cavalieri, Riera, Aurelio, Ngog.
Booked: Arbeloa.
Goals: Alonso 45, Kuyt 63, 89.
Att: 24,942
Ref: Martin Atkinson (W Yorkshire).

Liverpool 4-4 Arsenal

Liverpool returned to the top of Premier League after an Anfield classic against Arsenal - but Andriy Arshavin's remarkable four-goal haul delivered a serious blow to their title ambitions.
Rafael Benitez will no doubt praise Liverpool's spirit and ambition, as he did after a similar scoreline in the Champions League at Stamford Bridge last week, but defensive weaknesses fatally undermined a vibrant attacking display.
Liverpool's point puts them ahead of Manchester United on goal difference, but Sir Alex Ferguson's reigning champions now have a potentially crucial two games in hand.
Arsenal's much-maligned keeper Lukasz Fabianski was Liverpool's tormentor in the first half, but he showed signs of strain after the break as the home side threw caution to the winds backed by a wall of sound from The Kop.
Arshavin provided a lethal spearhead for Arsene Wenger's side, who were under siege for long periods but demonstrated a stunning ability to strike Liverpool on the counter.
The Russian put Arsenal ahead from Cesc Fabregas' cross nine minutes before the interval, but Fernando Torres and Yossi Benayoun, with a brave far post header, struck early in the second half to give Liverpool the advantage.
But as Liverpool tried to capitalise on their supremacy, the lavishly-gifted Arshavin struck twice in the space of three minutes midway through the second half.
He took advantage of Alvaro Arbeloa's hesitation to flash a finish past Liverpool keeper Pepe Reina and then scored from close range after Fabio Aurelio's poor clearance.
In a tumultuous Anfield atmosphere, Torres scored on the turn to put Liverpool level again before Arsenal swept forward after defending a corner for Arshavin to drive an emphatic finish past Reina from substitute Theo Walcott's pass in the dying seconds.
Benayoun scrambled home during five minutes of frantic stoppage time to give Liverpool hope of a remarkable win, but Arsenal's only remaining alarm was a shout for handball against Abou Diaby that was ignored by referee Howard Webb.
The players left Anfield to a standing ovation - but Liverpool's over-riding emotion will be frustration at failing to turn up the pressure another notch on United.
This may not have been a game for the coaches or tacticians, but for any lover of football this was an outstanding spectacle, liberally strewn with errors but also with outstanding talent.
Also a game watched by joint Reds owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett, who were tellingly sat next to each other.
Arsenal may be under-strength and out of the title race, but on this evidence they still have the capacity to emerge as a real wild card as the season reaches its climax, with games against Manchester United and Chelsea still to come.
Arsenal keeper Fabianski had been heavily-criticised for his display in the FA Cup semi-final defeat against Chelsea at Wembley - but he produced an inspired first 45 minutes to keep Liverpool at bay.
Torres was an early victim of Fabianski's heroics, first blocking a powerful drive and then saving superbly from a rising angled drive as Liverpool pressed for an early advantage.
Arsenal, despite spending most of the early exchanges on the back foot, still posed a threat and a mix-up between Daniel Agger and Reina presented Fabregas with a chance, but he volleyed wide.
Torres was setting the tone for Liverpool's display with the absence of the inspirational captain Steven Gerrard, and Fabianski was called into action again on the half-hour after the Spanish striker's turn left Kolo Toure trailing in his wake.
And Fabianski's defiance took on greater significance when Arsenal took the lead nine minutes before the interval, courtesy of Arshavin.
Javier Mascherano was caught in possession, allowing Samir Nasri to feed Fabregas - who provided the perfect cross for Arshavin to slam in a powerful finish off the underside of the bar.
Liverpool mounted an instant response, but Fabianski was the barrier once more as he dived to his left to palm away Benayoun's shot from the edge of the area.
It was vital Liverpool struck early after the break - and inevitably it was Torres who provided the priceless equaliser after 49 minutes.
Kuyt was the creator, crossing at the second attempt for Torres to climb and power a downward header that even Fabianski was powerless to stop.
Liverpool were overpowering Arsenal and seven minutes later Benitez's side were ahead thanks to a brave header from Benayoun - a move started when Fabianski played Kieran Gibbs into trouble in the penalty area.
Kuyt gathered possession and found Benayoun at the far post, who threw himself forward ahead of Bacary Sagna to send a looping finish beyond Fabianski, who clawed the ball out but it was comfortably behind the line.
Arsenal were being penned in their own territory almost permanently, and Wenger decided they needed to release the pressure, sending on Walcott to replace Denilson after 65 minutes.
And two minutes later Arsenal were level as Arshavin robbed Arbeloa to send a stunning drive across Reina from 20 yards.
Liverpool were let down by defensive frailties again as Arsenal regained control of what was becoming a classic encounter with 20 minutes left.
Nasri's cross was routine, only for Aurelio to slice his clearance straight to Arshavin, who gratefully slammed a finish beneath the exposed Reina.
Arsenal's lead lasted only two minutes, and once more Torres came to Liverpool's rescue with a turn and finish that Fabianski again touched but could not keep out.
Torres almost claimed a treble of his own with eight minutes left, but Kieran Gibbs was ideally placed on the post to scramble his header off the line.
And then, as Liverpool pressed forward with understandable urgency, they were hit by the sort of sucker punch Arsenal always looked capable of producing as Arshavin grabbed his fourth.
Liverpool were caught from their own corner, as Walcott swept forward to set up Arshavin to hammer his fourth past Reina.
It looked all over for Liverpool, but Benayoun set up the prospect of another final twist in this remarkable tale by scrambling home in a crowded penalty area.
Liverpool: Reina, Arbeloa, Carragher, Agger, Aurelio, Alonso, Mascherano, Benayoun, Kuyt (El Zhar 86), Riera (Babel 74), Torres.Subs Not Used: Cavalieri, Dossena, Lucas, Ngog, Skrtel.
Goals: Torres 49, Benayoun 56, Torres 72, Benayoun 90.
Arsenal: Fabianski, Sagna, Toure, Silvestre, Gibbs, Arshavin, Song, Fabregas, Denilson (Walcott 65), Nasri, Bendtner (Diaby 90).Subs Not Used: Mannone, Eduardo, Vela, Ramsey, Eboue.
Booked: Sagna.
Goals: Arshavin 36, 67, 70, 90.
Att: 44,424
Ref: Howard Webb (S Yorkshire).

Chelsea 4-4 Liverpool (agg 7-5)

Chelsea survived a huge scare before drawing one of the most entertaining Champions League games of recent times to seal a 7-5 aggregate win over Liverpool and book a semi-final against Barcelona.
Guus Hiddink's team led 3-1 after the first leg at Anfield but Fabio Aurelio's free-kick after an awful misjudgement from Petr Cech and Xabi Alonso's penalty put Liverpool in control at the break.
Jose Reina parried Didier Drogba's deft touch into his own net and Alex's thunderbolt free-kick levelled the scores on the night with two goals in six dramatic second-half minutes.
The inspirational Frank Lampard put the Blues 3-2 ahead, slotting home Drogba's intelligent cross.
The tie looked finished but Liverpool were not done yet and Lucas Leiva's deflected strike was quickly followed by Dirk Kuyt's near-post header.
It was 4-3 to Liverpool with seven minutes of normal time remaining and Stamford Bridge was stunned, while the Reds required just one more goal to complete a sensational victory on away goals.
But Lampard converted Nicolas Anelka's pass to level at 4-4 in the final dramatic action of a truly memorable game of football.
Liverpool were without their skipper Steven Gerrard because of an injury but came close to pulling off a memorable victory without their inspirational leader.
Liverpool gave the hosts an early warning when a delightful touch from Yossi Benayoun after 13 minutes created a clear opening for Fernando Torres, who failed to hit the target with his left-foot strike.
It was a poor miss and Liverpool's slim hopes were almost completely extinguished a minute later but Lampard narrowly missed the target with a free-kick.
Then came the moment that embarrassed Cech and handed Liverpool a lifeline, as Aurelio smashed his free-kick into the bottom corner.
Chelsea had only bothered to put one man in the wall and Cech was so focused on dealing with a floated ball into the congested area that he neglected the possibility of a low shot at goal.
Even so, it was a terrible error as the Czech keeper was caught completely out of position and scrambled across goal in vain.
Buoyed by their goal, Liverpool suddenly found an incisiveness and rhythm to their play, while Chelsea, with suspended skipper John Terry watching from the stands, looked uncharacteristically brittle.
The Blues defensive unit struggled to cope with the passing and movement of an attacking line that had struggled so manifestly at Anfield eight days earlier.
And the Reds doubled their lead through Alonso's unstoppable penalty after the Spaniard had been fouled by Chelsea's first-leg hero Branislav Ivanovic.
Chelsea boss Hiddink withdrew Salomon Kalou and brought on Anelka after 35 minutes.
And his bold decision was vindicated when the Frenchman's low cross from the right shortly after the restart was deflected by Drogba past Liverpool keeper Reina, who could only divert the ball into his own net.
Drogba was inches away with a free-kick as Chelsea found the attacking menace that had almost completely eluded them in the first-half and it came as no huge surprise when they did draw level, Alex drilling home his long-range free-kick.
Liverpool now needed to score twice more but Michael Ballack should have put the result beyond doubt after Drogba broke down the right and picked out the unmarked German with a precise low cross. Ballack, however, shot tamely and Reina dived to his left to save.
Torres, an increasingly marginal figure, went close from distance but it was Chelsea who were in control now and Lampard put his team ahead with a close-range finish from Drogba's cross.
The tie seemed to be dead and buried before Lucas' deflected strike after 81 minutes was quickly followed by Kuyt's bullet header from substitute Albert Riera's cross.
Suddenly it was only the visiting supporters who could be heard but the final goal of a pulsating match fell to Lampard, whose strike went in off both posts.
There was hardly any time remaining but the fragile Cech still managed to fumble a cross that David N'Gog drilled towards goal, forcing a superb headed clearance from Michael Essien.
Chelsea: Cech, Ivanovic, Alex, Carvalho, Ashley Cole, Kalou (Anelka 36), Ballack, Essien, Lampard, Malouda, Drogba (Di Santo 90). Subs Not Used: Hilario, Mikel, Deco, Belletti, Mancienne.
Booked: Ivanovic, Carvalho, Ashley Cole.
Goals: Drogba 52, Alex 57, Lampard 76, 89.
Liverpool: Reina, Arbeloa (Babel 85), Carragher, Skrtel, Aurelio, Lucas, Mascherano (Riera 69), Alonso, Kuyt, Torres (Ngog 80), Benayoun. Subs Not Used: Cavalieri, Dossena, Hyypia, Agger.
Booked: Benayoun, Arbeloa.
Goals: Aurelio 19, Alonso 28 pen, Lucas 81, Kuyt 82.
Agg (7-5)
Att: 38,286
Ref: Luis Medina Cantalejo (Spain).

Liverpool 4-0 Blackburn

Liverpool kept up the pressure on title rivals Manchester United with a commanding home win over Blackburn without my idol, Steven Gerrard even playing in the match.
Fernando Torres put them ahead with a brilliant swivel and volley into the corner after controlling on his chest.
Torres was in irresistible mood and headed in a Xabi Alonso free-kick as the home side dominated proceedings.
Daniel Agger fired in a ferocious 30-yard strike late on before David Ngog nodded in from point-blank range to round off the impressive win.
There had been a poignant build up to the last match at Anfield ahead of the 20th anniversary of the Hillsborough tragedy in which 96 fans died during Liverpool's FA Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest.
A minute's silence was impeccably observed and it was a significant occasion as well as a significant game - one which Jamie Carragher had called the most important league match of his career as Liverpool chase a first title since 1990.
Carragher gathered the Reds players in a huddle before kick-off to deliver a rallying call and duly backed up his words with actions.
He flighted a ball to Torres, who controlled it with his back to goal before unleashing an unstoppable strike into the far corner past keeper Paul Robinson's despairing dive.
It was a goal of the highest quality and one which Javier Mascherano should have added to after a swift counter attack.
The Argentine had a one-on-one after being played in by Dirk Kuyt only to sidefoot too close to keeper Paul Robinson, who blocked the ball away.
Torres blazed the rebound high but the Reds were in inspired form and were zipping the ball about with confidence and purpose.
Emiliano Insua and Albert Riera, in particular, were combining to penetrative effect down the left flank as Blackburn were left chasing shadows.
Insua whipped in an inviting cross for an unmarked Kuyt, who failed to capitalise on the chance by heading straight at Robinson.
But Liverpool did not have to wait long to double their lead as Torres again showed his finishing prowess by nodding in Alonso's free-kick.
Blackburn afforded the hosts far too much time and space, which was a surprise considering their precarious position in the table, although injuries to a number of key players did not help.
Riera went close with a couple of shots as Liverpool continued to cruise, although Blackburn centre-back Christopher Samba nearly made the home side pay for not being as ruthless in the final third during the second half.
The ball fell to him at the far post but the makeshift striker slipped as he got his shot away and Jose Reina saved in a rare moment of action on his 200th appearance for Liverpool.
The home side eventually increased their lead when Agger delivered a piledriver into the top corner and Ngog added the fourth in injury time after Lucas headed across goal as the Reds moved top of the table before Manchester United's game against Sunderland at 1500 BST.
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez:
"We had confidence and were always in control. The first goal was very important, it opened the game up and we were able score.
"My only concern was that we did not score more. Goal difference will be very important if this title race goes to the wire.
"After what happened in midweek against Chelsea, that was the perfect response. We have done our side of the job, the pressure is on Manchester United now."
Blackburn Rovers manager Sam Allardyce:
"I think there was a little bit of fear in the team. We should have got tighter, instead we just let them play their game plan.
"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."