Daniel Sturridge scored in his first game for Liverpool in five months as the Merseyside outfit snatched a third consecutive victory with a 2-0 triumph over West Ham United at Anfield.
Raheem Sterling opened the scoring for the Reds in the second half, and Sturridge added to the tally less than 10 minutes after coming onto the pitch.
West Ham, who have lost three out of their last seven league games, have now failed to beat Liverpool at Anfield in 42 top flight matches.
Discover how the game unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute coverage below.
2.00pmGreetings everyone! It's been two weeks since someone kicked a ball in the Premier League, but we are back to the bread and butter of the top flight. Now is the time when seasons begin to take shape for the clubs in hand. Right here, we'll be focusing on the meeting between Liverpool and West Ham United on Merseyside.
2.01pmBefore we get into the nitty gritty, let's begin by bringing you the team news for this afternoon's encounter. Starting with the home side...
2.02pmLIVERPOOL XI: Mignolet; Can, Skrtel, Sakho; Henderson, Lucas, Moreno, Markovic; Lallana, Coutinho; Sterling
2.02pmLIVERPOOL BENCH: Ward, Johnson, Lambert, Sturridge, Allen, Borini, Ibe
2.04pmThe big news for Liverpool fans is that Daniel Sturridge has been included in the squad. The 25-year-old striker could make his long-awaited comeback as he is named on the substitutes bench for this afternoon's match. The England international has not played for the Reds since August due to injury setbacks involving his calf and thigh muscles.
2.07pmInterestingly, there is no place in the squad for Mario Balotelli or Steven Gerrard, who played the entire 90 minutes plus extra time in Tuesday night's Capital One Cup semi-final defeat at Stamford Bridge. The only change from the team that suffered a 1-0 loss to Chelsea is Adam Lallana's inclusion, in place of the skipper.
2.09pmWEST HAM XI: Adrian; O'Brien, Collins, Reid, Cresswell; Song; Amalfitano, Nolan; Downing; Carroll, Valencia
2.09pmWEST HAM BENCH: Jaaskelainen, Demel, Oxford, Poyet, Noble, Jarvis, Cole
2.12pmManager Sam Allardyce has made three changes to the team that secured a 1-0 triumph over Bristol City in the FA Cup last weekend. Joey O'Brien, James Collins and Morgan Amalfitano come into the side, while Carl Jenkinson, James Tomkins and Tom Noble drop out of the starting XI.
2.13pmJenkinson and Tomkins do not make the squad at all due to calf and hamstring injuries respectively, while Noble has taken a place on the bench. As expected, former Liverpool players Stewart Downing and Andy Carroll have been given the nod to start, and the pair will be hoping to inflict some pain on the Merseyside club given their current form.
2.15pmNow this is a shot that all Liverpool fans will be happy to see! Daniel Sturridge arriving off the team bus to take his place at Anfield, where he could return to action for the first time in five months.
PHOTOS: @D_Sturridge arrives at Anfield for today's game. He's named on the bench against West Ham pic.twitter.com/FwNLdSnwDC
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) January 31, 20152.19pmThe 25-year-old striker revealed earlier this week that he is raring to go following months of rehabilitation, but naming him on the bench is a smart call from manager Brendan Rodgers as Sturridge's problem seems to be a chronic one, so pushing him into the starting XI too soon, too fast, could cause further problems.
2.22pmHowever, when the striker does get back into regular action, it will be a welcomed boost for Liverpool as they have been missing his goals massively this season. Sturridge netted 21 Premier League goals in the last campaign, but midfielder Steven Gerrard is currently the Reds' top scorer with 10 in all competitions. This statistic just proves how Liverpool's front line have been lacking on the goal front.
2.24pmRickie Lambert and Fabio Borini have just three goals between them, while Mario Balotelli has scored just twice in all competitions following his £16m move from AC Milan in September. In recent games, Liverpool have shown that their pace and attacking flare is back, but using Raheem Sterling, who is not a traditional striker, up front has seen them fail to mirror the prolific goalscoring form of Sturridge and Luis Suarez from last season. Considering the way Liverpool are playing right now, having Sturridge's eye for goal could push them back into top four contention.
2.26pmAs for West Ham, well, I mentioned earlier that Stewart Downing and Andy Carroll may have a point to prove, especially the latter, after they were sold by Liverpool in 2013. Last season, the pair produced just nine goals between them, but the duo have combined for 10 already in this campaign.
2.29pmCarroll has given an extra edge to the build-up of this fixture after admitting during an interview with The Times that he lost a lot of respect for Brendan Rodgers in the final months of his Anfield career.
In the interview, the striker said: "What he was saying to me and what was actually happening [were different things]. He was telling me one thing to my face, then I'd leave the training ground and he would ring me and tell me a completely different thing.
"He would say: 'You're going to play every week, you're going to play every game up front with [Luis] Suarez'. I'd leave and get home and he would ring me and say: 'Fulham and West Ham want you and I think it's best you should go'.
"It was mixed messages. He was messing with my head. I lost respect for him, to be honest."
2.32pmOuch! Is it written in the stars that Andy Carroll will get the winner this afternoon? Especially since it's four years to the day when he signed for Liverpool from Newcastle United for £35m...
ON THIS DAY IN 2011: @LFC signed Andy Carroll for £35 million.
Today he starts at Anfield for @whufc_official. pic.twitter.com/3USOUVWxzS
— BBC 606 (@bbc606) January 31, 20152.37pmWell, we'll know the answer to that at around 5pm today! Now, let's take a look at the form books. The home side had a poor start to the season, but they are unbeaten in their last six Premier League games and are five points adrift of a Champions League spot. As mentioned earlier, Rodgers seems to be instilling the same attacking intent and movement that resulted in them finishing just two points behind champions Manchester City last season. The main thing that has been missing is that goal threat up front - that's where Sturridge comes in.
2.38pmLiverpool's defence has been shaky at times this season, and especially during set pieces, but in recent games, the system of three at the back has been working. Mamadou Sakho, who has shaken off a back complaint to start this afternoon, has looked solid alongside Martin Skrtel, while Emre Can's versatility has seen him do a good job at the back.
2.40pmHammers boss Sam Allardyce admitted himself this week that he is wary of Liverpool's return to form.
In his midweek press conference, he said: "I think the way they're playing is right up there with where they were last year. They obviously don't have the same goal threat they had last year, in Sturridge and Suarez.
"But I believe Sturridge will probably be back against us at some stage, perhaps off the bench. So there's a bigger and better goal threat there for them."
2.43pmFor West Ham, they have surprised everyone in their ability to maintain their position towards the top of the table. It's a far cry from last season when a potential relegation battle was looming, and many were calling for Allardyce's head. They've impressed by adapting their play to show more fluid movement and results have gone their way as they have suffered just three defeats in 16 league games.
2.47pmOut of the Hammers' six defeats in the league so far this season, five of them have been against the top six in the table, and despite Liverpool residing one point below them, Rodgers's side are still regarded one of the 'top' teams in the league and contenders for a Champions League place. West Ham also have a poor away record against the Reds as they have not won a game at Anfield in 41 league meetings.
2.49pmOut of 56 league matches at Anfield, West Ham have won just three, so if you're a firm believer of statistics, then this afternoon isn't expected to be very rosy for the Hammers. However, West Ham are above Liverpool in the table for the first time ever after 22 games.
2.50pmNow, before I give you my thoughts, why not take in the opinions of my Sports Mole colleagues Matt Law and Pascal Lemesre, who have previewed this afternoon's fixture in the video below.
2.55pmPREDICTION: For me, while West Ham have been in good form this season and they are fully capable of snatching a draw at Anfield, I believe that Liverpool will take heart from their performances against Chelsea and with the return of Daniel Sturridge, the home side will just get over the line. I predict a 2-1 win for Liverpool.
2.58pmThe teams are out, 'You'll Never Walk Alone' is playing, and we are a matter of minutes away from kickoff at Anfield.
1 minKICKOFF! Liverpool get us underway in red, kicking from left to right...
1 minLiverpool get the first attack as the ball is fed through towards Sterling. The 20-year-old is left chasing the ball, but Adrian reads it and comes off his line early to hook the ball away.
2 minCan makes a wayward clearance in his own box after Amalfitano whipped the ball into the box, but Skrtel is there to save his teammate and get the ball away from danger. Far too casual there from the German Under-21 international.
3 minCan is involved again, but this time with Carroll, who catches the Liverpool man in the mouth as both jumped for the ball. It looks like a fair challenge to me, and Can is back on his feet after seeking treatment.
5 minA promising move from Liverpool as Sterling runs into the channels and goes at Reid before knocking the ball along to Lallana, who can't get a shot off. The ball falls to Markovic, but the Serbian's first effort is blocked and his second effort is way off target.
7 minNot the most confident of starts for Can here. He gives away a free kick on the edge of the 18-yard box after pulling down Valencia. It's chipped in by Downing, but Liverpool eventually clear.
8 minIt's end-to-end! Liverpool go on the break with Sterling pulling out to the left-hand side. He drives into the box, but the ball bobbles back to Lallana, who goes for a long-range shot, but it surges over the bar.
10 minBoth sides are showing attacking intent in these early stages, which isn't bad on the eye! Neither team have had a serious effort on goal, though.
12 minSong sends a perfectly-weighted through ball towards Valencia, but Mignolet does well to come off his line quickly and smother the ball before the West Ham man can get a shot on.
15 minCan struggles to keep up with the pace of Valencia, who comes inside and invites the foul from Lucas just outside of the box.
17 minValencia goes for goal, but it hammers into the wall. The ball is kept alive by Nolan and the visitors are awarded with a corner, but Mignolet comes out and punches the ball clear.
18 minSHOT! At the other end, Liverpool break away and Sterling manages to snatch the ball off O'Brien. The youngster sets it up for Henderson, who goes for a right-footed shot, but it drives right into the hands of Adrian.
20 minCoutinho's lovely turn finds Moreno out wide. The Spaniard drives down the flank and attempts a low cross, but it's knocked out by West Ham for a corner, which initially comes to nothing, but they're awarded another corner out of it. The ball's delivered in, but it's punched away by Adrian.
21 minWe've got some handbags here as Downing and Markovic tussle by the corner flag for the ball, but referee Andre Marriner has a word with the duo to calm them down.
22 minSAVE! Some lovely footwork and passing skill from Sterling and Coutinho as the former back-heels the ball into his teammate's feet. The Brazilian goes for goal at the near post, but Adrian saves with his feet.
24 minLiverpool are increasing the tempo and seem to be finding their feet. When West Ham have been on the break, they've been too hasty and have lost possession quite easily.
26 minWest Ham have the chance to create an opportunity as the ball is delivered into the box, looking for Carroll. The striker gets his head onto it, but it fails to trouble Mignolet and the ball bounces behind the line for a goal kick.
29 minMarkovic goes on defensive duty and manages to hook the ball he way. His clearance finds Lallana, who drives down the right looking to send a cross into the box, but Reid manages to block and Liverpool get the corner, which comes to nothing.
31 minMarkovic is the subject to boos from the visitors after going to ground claiming that he's been hit in the face by Carroll in the penalty area. Replays show that there wasn't much in it, and the Serbian winger seems fine to continue.
33 minSAVE! Mignolet stops Carroll from opening the scoring, but only on his second attempt. The West Ham striker head towards goal, but he can't get enough power on it and the keeper manages to gather at the left post.
34 minWest Ham are causing the most problems at the moment as they have had two corners in quick succession. In the latest of which, Mignolet manages to punch clear and prevent an effort on goal.
36 minAt the other end, Moreno sends a low cross into the area, but Collins, who seems to be struggling with an injury, hooks it away with ease. Liverpool seem to be struggling yet again to find that cutting edge in the final third.
37 minSong gives an unnecessary free kick away just yards from the box. Henderson takes it, but he clips the top of the wall, which gives the home side a corner. Coutinho has started well, but he wastes the corner as it goes out for a goal kick.
38 minSterling's pace troubles Collins as the Liverpool man cuts inside. Sterling hits it forward, but it bounces off Coutinho's back and into the path of Lallana. The former Southampton man goes for goal, but it's a lame effort and Adrian is able to gather.
38 minAlthough, Adrian could be lucky to be on the pitch! The goalkeeper appears to kick out at Coutinho after getting accidentally caught by the Brazilian while trying to gather the ball. Referee Marriner misses it.
42 minLiverpool are on the attack again as Coutinho drives inside and cuts it back to Lucas, but it's a desperate attempt from the midfielder, who goes for goal, but it bounces into the hands of Adrian.
43 minLiverpool get a free kick in a dangerous area and it's whipped in my Henderson, but Collins is the first to meet the ball as he heads it clear. Both sides have had chances. but we're lacking that clinical touch when it matters.
45 minMISS! Markovic has a great opportunity to open the scoring for Liverpool! Sterling starts the attack and shouts for a penalty after he's muscled out in the box and goes to ground. The clearance is made, but Markovic intercepts and is just yards from goal when he unleashes a shot, but it flies wide. He should have done much better
45+1 minHALF-TIME: Liverpool 0-0 West Ham
3.48pmWell, Liverpool should really be going into the half-time interval with a goal to their name. Arguably, the best chance came to Lazar Markovic at the end of the first 45 minutes, but he failed to take it. Overall, neither side have dominated the fixture so far. The home side have produced some attractive plays and Raheem Sterling has had plenty of opportunities to use his pace against the Hammers, but they're lacking that killer touch in the final third.
3.54pmFrom Liverpool's point of view, they're screaming out for a striker, so you wonder how long it will be before we see Daniel Sturridge take to the field. For West Ham, manager Sam Allardyce will be relatively pleased with his side's performance. They've shown attacking intend and have managed to hold off Liverpool when the home side are on the frontfoot. However, they've struggled to keep up with Raheem Sterling, who has been getting plenty of joy down the left, and the visitors have been unable to cut out the Reds on the break.
3.56pmAndy Carroll didn't have too many chances in the first half, but he has been making a nuisance of himself, especially with Emre Can, who has struggled to handle the physicality of the big striker. It's nicely poised for the second half!
3.58pmElsewhere in the Premier League, the half-time scores are as follows:
Crystal Palace 0-1 Everton
Man United 3-0 Leicester City
Stoke City 2-1 QPR
Sunderland 2-0 Burnley
West Brom 0-2 Tottenham
45 minRESTART! West Ham get the second half underway at Anfield. Fingers crossed for goals!
46 minSterling dodges past a number of West Ham shirts to cross the ball towards Moreno, but the Spaniard unleashes a wild shot that flies behind him and the attack gets cut out.
49 minLiverpool have had the majority of possession in these early stages. Coutinho drives out wide and flicks it back to towards Lallana, but the ball trickles behind the byline. Shortly afterwards, Sterling, with his back to goal, does a neat turn and fires a shot towards goal, but it flies over the crossbar.
50 minGOAL! Liverpool 1-0 West Ham (Sterling)
50 minSterling gets his reward by scoring his sixth Premier League goal of the season. The youngster gets a bit of luck as Coutinho's short pass gets a slight deflection, but Sterling gets in behind Collins and is onside when he slots the ball past Adrian and into the back of the net.
54 minWEST HAM SUB: Morgan Amalfitano is called off the pitch by Allardyce and Mark Noble makes his way on.
55 minA poor clearance from Can leaves Downing and Valencia the chance to latch onto a loose ball, but Sakho manages to get their first to snuff out the danger.
57 minDespite Liverpool taking the lead, West Ham have had a decent spell of possession in the last few minutes, but they are yet to seriously trouble Mignolet in this half.
58 minWe have a break in play as Carroll goes to ground. At the start of West Ham's attack, Downing crosses the ball into the box, and what should be an easy catch from Mignolet, the keeper pushes it forward as Skrtel got in the way. During Can's clearance, Carroll comes diving in for the ball and clips the German.
60 minBOOKING! As a result of Carroll's challenge on Can, the West Ham striker gets a yellow card. Following the challenge, the forward clutched his left ankle and received some treatment, but seems to be fine to play on.
62 minWEST HAM SUB: Andy Carroll won't be getting personal revenge on Liverpool today as he is taken off the field and replaced by Carlton Cole.
63 minBetter movement from West Ham as the ball is fizzed into the feet of Valencia, who gets away from Skrtel and drives the ball low towards goal, but Mignolet drops down to gather.
66 minIt looks as though it's only a matter of time before we see Daniel Sturridge take to the field. The striker is on the bench booting up...
67 minLIVERPOOL SUB: Here he comes! Daniel Sturridge comes onto the Anfield pitch to a roar of support from the home crowd to replace Lazar Markovic.
68 minA great first touch from Sturridge, but he's stopped in his tracks by Song, who gives away the foul 25 yards from the centre of the box.
69 minHenderson takes the free kick, but the West Ham wall stands firm again and the opportunity goes missing for the home side.
72 minWEST HAM SUB: The visitors make their final change of the game as James Collins makes way for Guy Demel.
73 minThe away side get an opportunity to trouble Mignolet with a corner, which was needlessly given by Can. Reid connects with the ball, but his header goes well wide of the mark.
75 minAt the other end, Lucas tries to curl the ball forward looking for Sturridge, but Reid gets a vital block to prevent the striker from latching onto the pass.
76 minDowning storms away from Moreno and delivers a decent cross into the area, but Mignolet pokes the ball over the top. The corner comes in, but the keeper deals with it by grabbing the ball in the air.
78 minSturridge has been involved in the last few attacks for Liverpool. Sterling drives into the box and plays the ball to the right to find Sturridge. The striker runs to the byline, but his effort is stopped by Adrian with his feet.
79 minGOAL! Liverpool 2-0 West Ham (Sturridge)
79 minIt had to be him, didn't it?! Daniel Sturridge scores Liverpool's second goal less than 10 minutes after coming on. Coutinho finds a pocket of space and delivers a lovely pass out to the right to find Sturridge, who slots the ball into the back of the net at the near post.
80 minLIVERPOOL SUB: Shortly after the goal, Philippe Coutinho was taken off the field and replaced by Jordan Ibe. A great performance from the Brazilian this afternoon.
83 minThere seems to be some problems for West Ham here as Winston Reid seeks treatment. He's walking a little gingerly, but the Hammers have used all their substitutes.
84 minSo, the visitors will have to finish the game with 10 men as Reid trudges right down the tunnel. I suppose it's a case of damage limitation for West Ham now as Liverpool certainly have their tails up.
87 minWest Ham try a late attempt as Song plays the ball through looking for the run of Cresswell, but it's hit too far and the ball bobbles past the byline and out for a goal kick. It's not been the best of afternoon's for the Hammers.
90+1 minSterling gets a free kick after stopping Downing's run. West Ham have an opportunity to get a goal back as we enter the first minute of four added on, but the free kick is easily dealt with by Liverpool.
90+2 minLiverpool seem content to hold on to their lead, but West Ham are searching for a goal a corner is whipped in by Downing, but bodies smother Mignolet and the free kick is given to Liverpool.
90+4 minFULL-TIME: Liverpool 2-0 West Ham
4.53pmSo, there we have it, Liverpool have stretched their unbeaten Premier League run to seven games and it seems as though it was written in the stars that Daniel Sturridge would score in his first game in five months. Raheem Sterling opened the scoring for the home side in the second half and his England teammate ruined any chances of a West Ham comeback by finding the back of the net himself.
4.56pmWest Ham have now fallen behind Liverpool in the table, and that's three league defeats in seven for Sam Allardyce's men. Thank you for joining me for today's match, but stick around on Sports Mole for all of the reaction, analysis and player ratings. Until next time, goodbye.
