Liverpool and Michael Owen put their run of poor form behind them as the England striker scored twice in an easy 3-0 home win over relegation strugglers Portsmouth in the English premier league on Wednesday.

The victory takes Liverpool up three places to fifth with 42 points from 28 games as they chase fourth spot and a Champions League place. Portsmouth stay third from bottom with 24 points, two points adrift of Leicester City and the safety zone.

Liverpool were desperate to put on a convincing display after a shock FA Cup replay defeat to Portsmouth, a frustrating draw with Olympique Marseille in the UEFA Cup and a sloppy premier league loss at Southampton.

But Germany midfielder Hamann settled the home side's nerves with a splendid goal after just six minutes when he met an Owen cross on the volley that flew into the net from 20 metres.

Owen, who missed a penalty at Southampton on Sunday, found the net just before the half-hour mark when he converted Jamie Carragher's right wing cross from six metres to make it 2-0.

The England forward struck again after 58 minutes with a flicked header from Steven Gerrard's corner.