Liverpool reaffirmed their intent to fight all the way for the final Champions League spot while Leeds know they now face a scramble to avoid relegation from the Barclaycard Premiership at the end of a chaotic season.

Their latest man at the helm Peter Reid saw fleeting signs of resistance, but not enough to lift the storm clouds that have hung over Elland Road all season.

They did not have enough to really expose Liverpool, who scored three goals at home in a league game for the first time since August.

Liverpool responded to their UEFA Cup exit with a trio of goals from England players Michael Owen, Danny Murphy and Steven Gerrard and it should have been a stroll.

That it was not after Leeds had been a shambles in the first half, will leave a lingering doubt about Liverpool's credibility to prove themselves worthy of Europe's top competition next season.

Newcastle and Chelsea - two of the sides Gerard Houllier insists his team can overtake - battered five apiece in breathtaking fashion yesterday but Liverpool toiled when put under pressure from a Mark Viduka goal.

Leeds' continued crisis took centre stage rather that the inquest into Liverpool's European exit, which no doubt eased the pressure on Houllier while Reid was next into the spotlight in his first game as caretaker boss.

Leeds are now just five points off the relegation zone and there will be some nervy few weeks ahead for chairman Peter Ridsdale, Reid and co.

The new man in the dug-out recalled outcast David Batty at least to the substitutes' bench and then had to witness Liverpool storming into a two goal lead.

Liverpool recalled El Hadji Diouf for Vladimir Smicer from the side that tumbled out of the UEFA Cup quarter-finals at the hands of Celtic on Thursday.

Reid was soon on his feet, trying to get Leeds into some sort of defensive system.

But in the first 10 minutes his side could have been three down.

Liverpool had clearly targeted full-back Raul Bravo - on loan from Real Madrid - for treatment.

Murphy had already cut in from the left and forced a fine flying save from Paul Robinson, before Diouf and Emile Heskey set about the hapless Spaniard.

A Diouf run, a pass to Heskey and then a back heel in return allowed the Senegal player a shot that Robinson blocked well.

A minute later the same double act cut through on the right again, but this time Diouf shot wide.

Liverpool took the lead on 12 minutes and it was no surprise that it came down the right again.

This time Bravo was nowhere to be seen, a Diouf cross cannoned off Teddy Lucic and straight into Owen's path for a crisp left-foot shot from eight yards.

Liverpool's second came on 19 minutes from Murphy. This time Robinson was motionless as the ball dipped into the far corner from 25 yards following Sami Hyypia's pass.

Liverpool lost their concentration and started to defend like Leeds and were punished.

They had a handful of chances to clear but the ball reached Jason Wilcox, whose bouncing hooked cross landed invitingly for Viduka to crash in a close range header a minute from the break.

Jerzy Dudek beat the ball out but it fell for Viduka to force home from inside the six-yard box.

Reid got rid of his two most ineffective players at the break, former Liverpool man Nick Barmby being replaced by James Milner while Ian Harte took over from Bravo.

It gave Leeds shape and balance, and Liverpool responded with their customary deep defence and counter-attacking breaks, led by Gerrard.

There was unease in the Liverpool ranks and Heskey should have settled that when he was presented with a gilt-edged chance on 59 minutes after being set up by Owen.

But the big striker leaned back and hooked high over.

Murphy was next to miss the chance to settle nerves when his swift 20-yard shot was touched away by Robinson at full stretch.

Danny Mills saw a header cleared virtually on the line by Diouf and Liverpool knew they had to re-establish their control of the first period.

On 73 minutes Liverpool managed to reclaim their two-goal advantage.

Owen fought for the ball on the right of the box, got away from Lucic and unselfishly set up Gerrard with a measured ball across the box for his England team-mate to drill it past Robinson.

Teams:

Liverpool: Dudek, Carragher, Hyypia, Traore, Riise, Diouf, Hamann (Diao 78), Gerrard, Murphy, Owen, Heskey (Baros 78).

Subs Not Used: Smicer, Arphexad, Biscan.

Goals: Owen 12, Murphy 20, Gerrard 73.

Leeds: Robinson, Mills, Lucic, Radebe, Bravo (Harte 45), Barmby (Milner 45), Bakke, Okon (McMaster 78), Wilcox, Viduka, Smith.

Subs Not Used: Martyn, Batty.

Booked: Bakke.

Goals: Viduka 44.

Att: 43,021

Ref: A D'Urso (Essex).