By Sam DruryBBC Sport

Leanne Kiernan prodded the ball into an empty net to put Liverpool ahead late in the first half at Prenton Park.

The home side doubled their lead five minutes after the break when Missy Bo Kearns headed in from Ceri Holland's pinpoint cross.

A superb volley from Sophie Roman Haug then sealed the win before Riko Ueki's late consolation for West Ham.

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Liverpool stay fifth, level on points with Manchester United in fourth, while West Ham remain six points clear of the relegation place in 11th after their 10th loss of the season.

A dreary first half eventually came to life with Kiernan and Niamh Fahey both going close shortly before Liverpool's opener.

West Ham were unhappy that the goal was allowed to stand as they believed goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold was fouled as she collided with Holland and team-mate Amber Tysiak attempting to cut out Jasmine Matthews' cross.

The ball evaded all three of them, though, and Republic of Ireland striker Kiernan was able to mark St Patrick's Day with a simple finish for her first WSL goal of the season.

West Ham had the chance to level before the break but Ueki's shot was saved by Rachael Laws and Viviane Asseyi skewed the rebound wide.

Kearns added to Liverpool's lead soon after the restart following good work from Holland on the left before Haug stretched to finish expertly after another Holland cross was flicked on by Fahey.

Asseyi missed another glorious opportunity to pull one back between the goals as her shot looped over after a good cut-back from substitute Jess Ziu.

Rehanne Skinner's side did eventually get on the scoresheet when Ueki capitalised on a poor pass out from Laws to put the ball into an unguarded net.

More to follow.

Line-upsMatch StatsLive TextLine-upsLiverpool Women

Formation 5-3-2

1Laws

2Koivisto17Clark5Fahey4Fisk6Matthews

14Höbinger15Lundgaard18Holland

9Kiernan10Haug

1Laws2Koivisto17ClarkBooked at 85mins5Fahey4Fisk6Matthews14HöbingerSubstituted forDanielsat 65'minutesBooked at 90mins15LundgaardSubstituted forKearnsat 39'minutes18Holland9KiernanSubstituted forvan de Sandenat 61'minutes10HaugSubstitutes7Kearns11Lawley13Enderby16Micah19van de Sanden20Daniels32ParryWest Ham Women

Formation 3-4-2-1

1Arnold

23Cissoko5Tysiak14Zadorsky

3Shimizu19Hayashi22Gorry2Smith

9Ueki20Asseyi

8Snerle

1Arnold23CissokoSubstituted forCookeat 58'minutes5Tysiak14Zadorsky3Shimizu19HayashiSubstituted forBergman-Lundinat 74'minutes22GorrySubstituted forAdemiluyiat 75'minutes2Smith9UekiSubstituted forHarriesat 90+2'minutes20Asseyi8SnerleSubstituted forZiuat 58'minutesSubstitutes7Bergman-Lundin12Harries16Ziu18Denton21Cooke25Walsh30O'Hanlon35AdemiluyiReferee:Emily HeaslipLive TextPost update

Match ends, Liverpool Women 3, West Ham United Women 1.

Full Time

Second Half ends, Liverpool Women 3, West Ham United Women 1.

Missy Kearns (Liverpool Women) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

Foul by Shannon Cooke (West Ham United Women).

Yana Daniels (Liverpool Women) is shown the yellow card.

Substitution, West Ham United Women.

Emma Harries replaces Riko Ueki.

Foul by Ceri Holland (Liverpool Women).

Jess Ziu (West Ham United Women) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

Attempt saved.

Missy Kearns (Liverpool Women) right footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the centre of the goal.

Assisted by Yana Daniels.

Jenna Clark (Liverpool Women) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

Jenna Clark (Liverpool Women) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Foul by Riko Ueki (West Ham United Women).

Corner, Liverpool Women.

Missy Kearns (Liverpool Women) right footed shot from outside the box is just a bit too high.

Kirsty Smith (West Ham United Women) right footed shot from more than 35 yards is blocked.

Substitution, West Ham United Women
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