Liverpool made it a 'perfect 10' with a performance which was anything but that at Anfield.

The Reds have now won 10 league games on the trot for the first time since 1982 after Peter Crouch's towering header extended their impressive run of results.

But Albion goalkeeper Tomasz Kuszczak produced a string of stunning saves to make sure his side were always in contention.

And the Pole's performance left Liverpool hanging on at times near the end as Albion sought what an unlikely point after the home side had dominated for so long.

However, considering this a third game in a week for Rafael Benitez's buoyant team, and with a trip to Bolton on Monday to come, the objective was always to win the match and not worry too much about how pretty it looked.

Liverpool made just two changes from the side who beat Everton on Wednesday by resting Mohamed Sissoko and Stephen Warnock with Benitez fielding an offensive starting XI with Luis Garcia and John Arne Riise returning and no defensive midfielder.

West Brom, on the back of an impressive win over Tottenham at The Hawthorns, lost Kanu to knee and thigh injuries. And the visitors quickly set themselves up to contain and smother the flow of the European champions.

Peter Crouch was surrounded constantly as Liverpool worked and probed for openings. Luis Garcia's tentative 25-yard shot early on was all that tested Kuszczak.

But then Harry Kewell unleashed a dipping shot from the same range which the Albion keeper tipped over spectacularly before a minute later he beat away a 12-yard effort from the Australian after a move down the right.

But Liverpool could not raise the pace of the game to unsettle the Baggies. The game was being played at an almost leisurely pace with Liverpool building slowly, but that played into Albion's hands as they defended in depth.

Riise then got forward to support the attack and hit the inside of the post with a low drive through a packed area.

Kewell retrieved the ball and saw a deflected shot palmed away by Kuszczak, who then dealt with a couple of Crouch headers before palming away Steve Finnan's cross.

Liverpool looked to skipper Steven Gerrard for inspiration and he created space on the edge of the box for a typically blistering drive, but again the Pole produced an outstanding block to see his side through to the break on level terms.

However, the Reds were not to be denied and it took just six minutes of the second half for Liverpool to break the deadlock.

Kewell's flighted ball into the box saw Crouch climb above Neil Clement to send a powerful header wide of Kuszczak's right hand.

The brave keeper stopped Liverpool grabbing a second after 64 minutes when Xabi Alonso touched a free-kick to Riise and the Norwegian blasted a 30-yard shot through the wall only for Kuszczak to plunge to his left to block the effort.

Albion sent on Jonathan Greening for Richard Chaplow a minute later, while Liverpool sent on Florent Sinama-Pongolle for Kewell after 67 minutes.

Alonso's clever footwork and control set up Gerrard but again the Albion keeper was there to save the fierce drive.

Albion sent on Diomansy Kamara for Ronnie Wallwork and Nathan Ellington for Kevin Campbell with 10 minutes to go and reverted to three strikers to try to steal a point.

Liverpool responded by sending on Sissoko for Crouch with Djibril Cisse now a lone striker.

Suddenly Liverpool were under pressure for the first time in the game as Albion launched the ball into the box at every opportunity.

Djimi Traore then came on for Cisse with a couple of minutes left as Liverpool made sure they kept their winning run going.

Teams

Liverpool Reina, Finnan, Hyypia, Carragher, Riise, Luis Garcia, Gerrard, Alonso, Kewell (Sinama Pongolle 67), Cisse (Traore 89), Crouch (Sissoko 81).

Subs Not Used: Carson, Hamann.

Goals: Crouch 52.

West Brom Kuszczak, Watson, Curtis Davies, Clement, Robinson, Chaplow (Greening 65), Wallwork (Kamara 76), Albrechtsen, Carter, Campbell (Ellington 80), Horsfield.

Subs Not Used: Hoult, Moore.

Att: 44,192

Ref: A Wiley (Staffordshire).