Luis Suarez netted a magnificent hat-trick as Liverpool saw off West Bromwith ease in a 4-1 victory at Anfield.

Steve Clarke’s team were chasing a fourth consecutive Premier League win over Liverpool but a virtuoso display from Suarez ensured that was never on the cards.

A solo effort and a stunning 18-yard header gave the hosts a 2-0 lead at the break and Suarez’s treble was complete when he converted Steven Gerrard’s 55th-minute free kick.

A generous penalty decision allowed substitute James Morrison to hand West Brom a lifeline but Daniel Sturridge crowned a highly satisfying afternoon for Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers with a breathtaking long-range lob.

Both teams made a solitary change from last weekend’s action – Victor Moses dropping to the bench to accommodate Lucas Leiva in the Liverpool line-up, while West Brom forward Saido Berahino suffered a similar fate as Nicolas Anelka started against his former club.

Suarez was at the heart of the action from the off, scuffing wide from 20 yards in the seventh minute before tangling with West Brom defender Gareth McAuley and tumbling in the area.

Referee Jon Moss was not interested in the penalty claims, leaving the Uruguay international to take matters into his own hands with a brilliant 12th-minute opener.

Collecting a pass from Kolo Toure, Suarez displayed supreme balance and technique as he burst clear of Claudio Yacob, nutmegged Jonas Olsson and slotted beyond goalkeeper Boas Myhill.

It was 2-0 five minutes later when Suarez worked the ball left to wing-back Aly Cissokho and continued his run to plant a remarkable header into the top corner from the 18-yard line.

Martin Skrtel should have made it three before the half hour, missing his kick with the goal gaping on the back of a cleverly worked set-piece involving Suarez and Gerrard.

Morgan Amalfitano limped off to be replaced by Morrison and apparently complete West Brom’s first-half misery but Skrtel was required to make a goal-saving tackle in stoppage time when Anelka rounded Simon Mignolet from Olsson’s raking ball forward.

West Brom continued to give away free kicks in dangerous areas, Yacob the main perpetrator, and, after Sturridge fizzed a viciously swerving effort wide, Suarez completed his treble.

Yacob finally earned a booking for fouling Sturridge on the left flank and Gerrard produced a sumptuous delivery for Suarez to leap and glance into the far top corner.

Liverpool’s attacks were unrelenting – Sturridge blazing over from Glen Johnson’s 58th-minute cross before driving at the beleaguered West Brom backline and planting a side-footed effort against the crossbar.

The visitors were handed an unlikely route back into the match in the 66th minute, Morrison crashing home a penalty after Cissokho caught full-back Billy Jones on a burst into the box.

Liverpool started to appear ragged but Sturridge calmed Anfield in the most emphatic manner and there was still time for Myhill to touch a Suarez overhead kick onto the bar.

The former Swansea boss wants his side to improve their defensive ability during set plays, having targetted it as a weak spot ahead of their Premier League clash with West Brom

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has demanded that his side end their habit of conceding from set-pieces when they host West Brom on Saturday.

The 40-year-old has guided his side to their best start in a league campaign since 2008-09, with the Reds claiming consecutive clean sheets in their opening three games against Stoke, Aston Villa and Manchester United.

However, Liverpool have since conceded goals from set-pieces in four of their last five matches and the former Swansea boss is determined to put an end to it as they look to continue their strong start to the season.

“The more you concede at set-pieces the more you will [gain a reputation], ” he admitted at a press conference ahead of the game at Anfield.

“It’s just concentration. The ball that came into the box against Newcastle was quite a straightforward one and we just didn’t defend it well enough. We went to sleep a little bit.

“I was annoyed at the Crystal Palace one because even though the game was over (it was 3-0 at the time) it was still a goal from a set-piece that you shouldn’t concede.

“We started the season with three clean sheets and we just need to get back to that mentality because we know that we can get goals. It is something we need to improve on.”

Liverpool have undergone changes in their defence with only Kolo Toure remaining in a natural defensive position from the side that opened the campaign at home to Stoke.

However, despite several key injuries and a formation switch that has seen them operate with three central defenders, Rodgers does not believe the changes have had an effect on his side’s ability to defend set-pieces.

He continued: “No, because from a set-piece you are given a job and I think it should be the simplest part of the game in terms of the ball is not moving.

“Again it is individuals. We have coped with set-pieces in the first few games – you just have to ensure every single game your concentration is right or you will concede a goal.”

Former Red Devils keeper Peter Schmeichel offers his insight ahead of the weekend’s top-flight games, as we put our necks on the line with our match predictions!

Champions League, check. Europa League, check. Premier League, ready to roll!

After their European exploits, England’s elite sides return to domestic action this weekend with Arsenal looking to return to winning ways in Saturday’s early kick-off, after a disappointing defeat to Borussia Dortmund.

Arsene Wenger’s side take on Crystal Palace, with the Eagles having parted company with manager Ian Holloway, by mutual consent earlier in the week. Will Marouane Chamakh come back to haunt the Gunners? Nah, probably not.

Now David Moyes put last weekend’s 1-1 draw with Southampton behind him with a convincing, impressive win against Real Sociedad and now welcomes Stoke City to Old Trafford, with this week’s expert, former Manchester United keeper Peter Schmeichel, backing his old side to return to winning ways.

But the best games of the weekend both fall on Sunday. Sunderland take on Newcastle with new boss – and Goal Predicts chum – Gus Poyet looking to secure his first win since replacing Paolo Di Canio.

It’s a tough one for Gus, who will be hoping to move on from the Italian’s ill-fated reign as much as possible, yet replicate his impressive 3-0 victory over their bitter rivals last season. Alan Pardew could also do with some derby-day cheer but we expect the sides to share the spoils this time.

Finally, two former Real Madrid coaches lock horns at Stamford Bridge as Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea take on Manuel Pellegrini’s Manchester City.  Again, we see this one too close to call and have nested ourselves comfortably on the fence.

For all of this weekend’s fixtures and predictions, not to mention where Peter sees the matches being won and lost, check out the video at the top of the page!