TWO-GOAL Stan Collymore sent Liverpool marching to the top of English FA Premiership and plunged his former club deeper into relegation trouble at Anfield last night.

Collymore and Robbie Fowler gave Liverpool a two-goal cushion and, although Kevin Campbell scrambled a goal back before the break, Des Lyttle headed an own goal six minutes into the second half to put Liverpool back in command.

Forest captain Stuart Pearce briefly raised his side's hopes of salvaging a point with one of his free-kick specials on the hour.

But, within two minutes, substitute Patrik Berger, on for Fowler, hared down the left wing and Collymore was there to supply the near-post finish when the cross came in.

Liverpool's win took them two points clear of leaders Arsenal while Forest were left deep in trouble at the bottom.

Liverpool boss Roy Evans named an unchanged side following Saturday's 5-1 victory over Middlesbrough and Forest boss Frank Clark made one change from the side that held Newcastle to a goalless draw eight days ago Vance Warner coming in for flu victim Steve Chettle.

Forest found themselves under siege from the start and Chris Allen headed off the line when Mark Wright met Stig Bjornebye's third-minute corner with a firm header. The visitors looked to be in for a torrid night and Crossley did not help their cause by gifting Liverpool a sixth-minute lead.

The Forest goalkeeper's goalkick scarcely left the ground and, when Fowler nodded on, Collymore bore down on goal. Crossley raced off his line to clear but failed to make contact with the ball, leaving Collymore to roll the ball into an empty net.

Forest briefly rallied but Liverpool quickly regained the initiative.