Charlie Adam and Andy Carroll were on the scoresheet as Liverpool extended their unbeaten run of games to seven with a comfortable win over West Brom.

The Baggies failed to match their opponents throughout the game and went behind to an early Adam penalty when Luis Suarez was tripped.

Carroll scored just before half-time when he was put through by Suarez's pass following Jonas Olsson's error.

Somen Tchoyi had the hosts' best chances but they were well beaten.

A shot that whistled past the post from the Cameroonian striker - replacing the injured Shane Long - just after the break represented one of West Brom's few meaningful efforts.

Liverpool were crisp in their passing and willing to make more supporting runs from the beginning of the game, and at times they outclassed their opponents.

Kenny Dalglish's side, who were without Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher, were also quicker to the loose ball while West Brom seemed to sit too deep, allowing Adam and his team-mates time to switch the play with relative ease.

West Brom's defending will have disappointed boss Roy Hodgson, whose sides usually pride themselves on hard work and organisation.

And they simply did not make any significant inroads as Liverpool climbed to fifth in the Premier League table.

Worse still, the visitors were handed an early gift when Jerome Thomas brought down Suarez for a ninth minute penalty.

West Brom's supporters were furious with the decision, which was taken by assistant referee Gary Beswick, and although it was debatable Adam made no mistake from 12 yards.

Referee Lee Mason was continually booed thereafter, but the frustration of the home fans should have been directed towards their team, who were second best and did not create their first real opening until after 40 minutes when Peter Odemwingie could not reach Tchoyi's cross.

They failed to harry the Liverpool defence and Suarez and Carroll had chances to add to their total before they doubled the lead.

Olsson gave the ball away straight from a free-kick and once it was swept to Suarez on the right, the Uruguayan found his unmarked striker partner Carroll, who tucked in past Ben Foster.

Throughout the first period Hodgson grew ever more angry, at one point throwing his coat off in disgust, but his side started the second half better with Tchoyi screwing a shot wide of Pepe Reina's right-hand post.

That proved only a brief interlude, though, and Suarez was continually released on the break by Adam to cause more havoc at the Baggies end.

Olsson made a superb block to deny Liverpool's top scorer, and Foster saved well from Jose Enrique and Carroll as the visitors poured forward.

Stewart Downing could have made it 3-0 when he hit a post late on and that scoreline would not have reflected poorly on Liverpool's accomplished display.