ALBERTO AQUILANI’S first goal for Liverpool all but ended the game as a contest before half-time as the Reds ran riot against Portsmouth.

The Italian’s strike just after the half hour mark put Liverpool three up against the stricken visitors, whose off the field problems followed them on to the pitch at Anfield.

With the threat of a nine point deduction looming over them for going into administration – the first Premier league club to do so – Portsmouth looked down and out as Liverpool romped to a 4-1 victory.

First half goals from Fernando Torres, Ryan Babel and Aquilani left little room to manouevre for the bottom placed club, who surely need a miracle to maintain their top flight status.

With Dirk Kuyt and Lucas on the bench, Babel came in with Aquilani, who was handed a rare start by manager Rafa Benitez.

Including the Italian paid dividends as he combined superbly with Maxi Rodriguez and Torres to put Pompey to the sword.

The early warning signs went unheeded by Avram Grant’s side.

Liverpool saw an early penalty claim waved away after Ricardo Rocha handled a Torres effort inside the area.

Aruna Dindane then saw a half chance sail high over the bar at the other end as Portsmouth looked to hit Liverpool on the break.

On 17 minutes, Liverpool started to find their rhythm.

Aquilani found Torres inside who touched it to Maxi who laid it back to Gerrard. The captain lifted his shot over Jamie Ashdown’s goal. After a couple of under-par displays against Wigan and Lille, an incisiveness to Liverpool’s play had suddenly returned.

Moments later, Aquilani steered a volley wide from Maxi’s pass over his shoulder.

Liverpool had their tails up now. Another slick move saw Maxi involved again, this time playing in Babel who found Torres on the right, only for the striker to pick out a white shirt with his cross.

Another penalty claim was dismissed when Marc Wilson appeared to bring Torres down in the box.

Next to be vindicated by the referee was Michael Brown who climbed all over Gerrard as a cross came in.

With penalties apparently off the agenda, Liverpool finally broke the deadlock from open play.

Gerrard’s determination to close Ashdown on a back pass saw the keeper panic. His hurried kick found its way to Maxi who fed Torres inside for a tap in with 26 minutes gone.