To many, Steven Gerrard is the finest player never to have won the Premier League.

The Liverpool captain is keeping his cool to try to ensure that unwanted moniker ends next month. Gerrard capped a hugely disciplined performance with two clinically-taken penalties to take Brendan Rodgers' side back to the top of the table. That is nine straight wins for Liverpool. Five more and they will be champions.

Liverpool were also able to overcome a massive blunder from referee Anthony Taylor, who allowed West Ham's equaliser just before half-time to stand despite Andy Carroll clearly smacking Simon Mignolet in the head and dragging the goalkeeper's arm down as he caught Mark Noble's corner. Mignolet dropped the ball straight to Guy Demel, who poked it into the net.

It looked like Carroll was not going to get away with his cavalier approach when linesman Stuart Burt vigorously flagged to get Taylor's attention. Referee and assistant chatted. Luis Suarez screamed at Taylor to look at the big screen as a replay of the incident was shown. Taylor chose not to. More chat. The goal stood.

Liverpool furious. The fact that Taylor comes from the Manchester suburb of Wythenshawe probably did nothing to ease Scouse tempers.

Just two minutes earlier Taylor had enraged the home fans with his decision to give Liverpool their first penalty, which was harsh as penalties do not come more cast iron.

Suarez flicked the ball past James Tomkins and the West Ham defender not only moved ball to hand but also had a good feel of it.

Just before Gerrard stepped up to take it the giant scoreboards flashed up Gerrard's penalty map, showing where his kicks have gone: score, score, score, miss. If Adrian looked at the screen, it did him no good. He went right, Gerrard went the other way.

So after 45 minutes all square. Rodgers chose to sacrifice Philippe Coutinho for Lucas to try to get control of central midfield, his front three of Suarez, Daniel Sturridge and Raheem Sterling not getting as much service as he or they would have liked.

West Ham, booed off after beating Hull in their last home game, had the fans behind them as they pushed Liverpool back. Carroll came within inches of putting them in front in the 61st minute when he headed Mohamed Diame's cross onto the bar.

Liverpool responded by dominating possession and in the 71st minute got the opening they craved. Lucas played in Jon Flanagan down the left flank as he sped past the dozing Demel. Adrian charged out, got a hand to the ball but also a fair chunk of the Liverpool full-back's shins.

Another penalty. Another round of boos from the West Ham fans.

Gerrard endured mind games from West Ham players and Adrian even pointing to where he wanted him to place the kick. Gerrard obliged, with pace and precision in the corner for his 11th penalty of the season, and his 173rd goal for Liverpool, which took him one ahead of Kenny Dalglish, who cheered from the stands.

This was not Liverpool's finest performance of the season but it was a hugely professional one. Rodgers wryly noted afterwards that the pitch had not been watered as West Ham sought to gain any advantage they could over their slick moving opponents.

West Ham have 37 points and barring a bizarre set of results from the teams beneath them, are safe. They gave Liverpool a few scares but did not have enough to halt the title charge.

Suarez was not at his best but still hit the crossbar twice, first with a curling shot after a swivel-hipped move to create space, second with a nonchalant flick of the outside of his right boot.

Sturridge had several shots with all but one flying high or wide. Sterling worked hard and brought a great save from Adrian late on. They have now got 90 goals for the season and the century will not be too far away.

Next weekend is the match with "title decider" stamped all over it as Manchester City visit Anfield. Rodgers, basking in another victory, promised his side would approach the game with both confidence and freedom. So they should.

Source: Daily Express