James Collins had earlier hacked off the goalline from Albert Riera after the ball had dropped to the Spaniard’s feet from a poor Robert Green punch.

Green redeemed himself somewhat later in the half when, from Xabi Alonso’s deep left-wing corner, the goalkeeper clutched Kuyt’s close-range header at the second attempt.

A goalbound Gerrard free-kick was inadvertently deflected wide off Benayoun after the former Hammer was cynically fouled by Hayden Mullins.

Gerrard, coming in off the right wing, slalomed past two defenders but struck into the sidenetting while the skipper’s enticing cross curled narrowly away from Hyypia to make a proper connection with his diving header.

There was more of the same frustration in the second half. Kuyt, having done well to win possession, shot tamely wide with Gerrard screaming for a pass.

Keane sliced wide before Benayoun was denied by a brilliant save from Green in the 56th minute, the goalkeeper turning the Israeli’s volley over the bar after Collins had miscontrolled when attempting to clear another fine Gerrard cross. Gerrard then curled wide then scuffed another effort and Alonso thrashed over from 20 yards.

The longer the game remained goalless the more Liverpool appeared to run out of ideas and the more West Ham grew in confidence.

Indeed, when the visitors won their first corner midway through the second half, they almost scored from it, Cole heading Bellamy’s delivery into the side-netting at the near post.

Hyypia sent another header from another Gerrard corner wide with eight minutes remaining, and Green then saved with his feet to deny Kuyt converting Gerrard’s fine diagonal pass.

Substitute Ryan Babel burst forward and saw a shot deflected narrowly off target, but despite going top, this was not Liverpool's night.