Charlton 0-3 Liverpool:Xabi Alonso, Craig Bellamy and Steven Gerrard inspired Liverpool to a third win on the trot as Charlton were outclassed 3-0 at The Valley this afternoon.

Rafael Benitez's troops came into today's early game on the back of 4-0 drubbings of Wigan and Fulham - and flew out of the traps in taking the lead after just three minutes.

Djimi Traore tried to clear a cross into the 18-yard box with a high boot and connected with Jermaine Pennant's face, leading to a yellow card and penalty which Alonso coolly slotted past Thomas Myhre.

The early goal led to total domination by the visitors, with Luke Young clearing a Bellamy shot off the line, Dirk Kuyt dragging a strike wide and Traore brilliantly hacking a goalbound Pennant effort to safety.

The Addicks' best chance of the half came on 22 minutes when Andy Reid's shot was parried by Pepe Reina into the path of Hermann Hreidarsson, who skied over the bar with an open goal at his mercy.

But Kuyt and Mark Gonzalez wasted further chances before the break, after which it was nearly 2-0 on 49 when Thomas Myhre superbly tipped over Alonso's 25-yard piledriver.

Kuyt hit the woodwork and was off target with a half-volley - but at 1-0 the hosts were still in the game and wasted two great chances to equalise.

On 75 minutes, Darren Ambrose volleyed Dennis Rommedahl's cross over the bar and shortly after Darren Bent dragged a shot wide of the upright.

Those misses proved costly when Bellamy clinically volleyed home on 82, and Gerrard curled home a delicious third to seal the romp on 88.

The win moved Liverpool up to third ahead of the 3pm kick-offs.