Liverpool suffered a second consecutive defeat in the Premier League on Saturday with a 3-1 loss at West Ham United.
Early goals from Winston Reid and Diafra Sakho put the hosts 2-0 up before Raheem Sterling pulled a goal back for the visitors at half time.
However, the Hammers made sure of the points late on when Morgan Amalfitano came off the bench to find the net.
Read Sports Mole's minute-by-minute report below to find out how all of the action unfolded at Upton Park.
Hello there and welcome to Sports Mole's live text coverage as West Ham welcome Liverpool to Upton Park in the Premier League. We should have some team news through for you shortly...
WEST HAM: Adrian; Reid, Cresswell, Tomkins, Kouyate; Downing, Sakho, Noble, Demel, Song; Valencia
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce has made one change to his starting lineup following Monday's 2-2 draw at Hull City as Alex Song comes into the XI for Diafra Sakho. Enner Valencia, who opened his account for the club in sensational style at the KC Stadium, remains in attack.
LIVERPOOL: Mignolet; Manquillo, Moreno, Lovren, Skrtel; Gerrard, Henderson, Lucas, Sterling; Borini, Balotelli
Meanwhile, Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has made three changes after seeing his side open their Champions League campaign with a narrow win over Ludogorets in midweek. Mamadou Sakho, Philippe Coutinho and Adam Lallana are replaced by Martin Skrtel, Fabio Borini and Lucas.
WEST HAM SUBS: Zarate, Vaz Te, Jenkinson, Collins, Amalfitano, Jaaskelainen, Cole
LIVERPOOL SUBS: Jones, Toure, Enrique, Sakho, Markovic, Lallana, Lambert
PHOTO: Martin Skrtel is back in Brendan Rodgers' starting XI... pic.twitter.com/rzPxlcQJC8
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) September 20, 2014
West Ham have endured a difficult start to the season, taking four points from their opening four matches. What's even more worrying for the Hammers is that they've lost both games that they've played at home so far. Another defeat in front of their own fans this evening could provide a severe dent to their confidence.
It's been a slightly different story for Liverpool with six points from their first four games, but they will be eager to put last weekend's 1-0 defeat at home to Aston Villa out of their minds with a win tonight. The Reds could move into the top four if they come away from East London with the spoils.
West Ham (and former Liverpool) winger Stewart Downing: "If we can cut the errors out, I think we've got a really good chance against Liverpool. You saw what Aston Villa did - they shut them out and Liverpool didn't really have many chances. That's what you've got to do because if you're sloppy against top teams they'll punish you.
"If we show the same passing and movement that we did on Monday, but cut the errors out, we can play against anyone. We need to get a result at home too."
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers: "Against Villa we weren't at our level in the final third and Villa defended well. We moved on from that, got a great result (against Ludogorets) and the perspective after a couple of days makes it a good result.
"We showed the character and the mental qualities that successful teams have to come through and win the game, something we'll look to take into the weekend."
HEAD TO HEAD: It's Liverpool who have the better record when it comes to past meetings between these teams, winning 60 games compared to West Ham's 23. The two sides have also played out 31 draws.
You have to go back to February 2011 for the last time that West Ham beat Liverpool - a 3-1 victory at Upton Park in the Premier League. Since then, the Reds have won three out of four matches (the other being a 0-0 draw). Brendan Rodgers's side earned a comfortable 4-1 win at Anfield last season, but it took two Steven Gerrard penalties to give them a 2-1 victory in the corresponding fixture.
If you have a spare couple of minutes before kickoff, why not have a look at our video preview for this evening's match?
CLASSIC PIC: Syd Puddefoot scored our first-ever goal v @LFC in an FA Cup tie on 21 February 1914! #WHULIV pic.twitter.com/WmaOViyvOe
Speaking of the FA Cup, one of the most memorable meetings between these teams came back in 2006 when Steven Gerrard inspired Liverpool to victory over West Ham in the final. The Reds skipper scored an incredible equaliser for his side in stoppage time before they went on to win 3-1 on penalties. FA Cup finals often have a knack of disappointing, but that one was a modern classic.
One key aspect of today's match could be how Liverpool's fitness levels hold up after playing in Europe in midweek. The Merseysiders didn't have to contend with three games in a week last season, but they'll have to get used to it if they want to compete in the Premier League this year.
Just over five minutes to go until kickoff and the players are starting to slowly emerge in the tunnel. As you might expect, Upton Park is full of noise this evening as the two sets of fans await the teams.
Here come the teams!
KICKOFF! Right. The teams are out, the pre-match handshakes have been done, and it will be West Ham to get us underway. Here we go!
GOAL! WEST HAM 1-0 LIVERPOOL (REID)
What an incredible start for West Ham! Downing's free kick from the right is whipped to the back post where Tomkins is waiting. The defender heads back across goal, and there is Reid to bundle the ball in from close range. That was very sloppy defending from a Liverpool perspective.
YELLOW CARD! What a strange couple of minutes for Reid, as he now goes into the book for a robust challenge on Borini. The New Zealand international steamed in from behind, which you cannot do these days.
West Ham are playing some very positive football at the moment, passing the ball around confidently while using the full width of the pitch. Meanwhile, Liverpool are struggling to get a proper footing in this game. Plenty of strong tackles going in as well.
GOAL! WEST HAM 2-0 LIVERPOOL (VALENCIA)
They've done it again! West Ham now lead 2-0 as Valencia gets his head on Sakho's cross to put Liverpool in further trouble. The ball is played out wide to the right to Sakho, whose floated delivery evades everyone before being headed in by Valencia on the line. That said, that could well be Sakho's goal. It's unclear whether Valencia got his head on the ball at all.
What a frantic start it's been to this game. West Ham have the wind well and truly in their sails. In contrast, Liverpool are still struggling to get themselves into the action. The Reds have posed no threat in the final third, but they're going to need to soon.
It was mentioned before the match whether Liverpool's fitness and focus would be there following their Champions League game in midweek. The short answer is that it isn't. West Ham come close to making it 3-0 as Cresswell tries his luck, but Mignolet does well to tip it away. The Hammers are enjoying themselves out there!
The good thing from a West Ham perspective is that they're not looking to sit back on this lead. In fact, the Hammers are on the hunt for another goal. Valencia tries to make something happen in the box before he's dispossessed, but the Liverpool defence make a bit of a mess of it before Lovren clears. The Merseysiders are looking shaky at the back, that's for sure.
YELLOW CARD! Balotelli and Adrian both go into the book after the Liverpool striker made a late challenge on the West Ham goalkeeper. Adrian would have got away without a caution if he hadn't confronted the Italian following the incident.
SUBSTITUTION: Liverpool are making an early change here, with Sakho replacing Manquillo. It looks as if that's a tactical switch from Brendan Rodgers.
Liverpool's key men - namely Sterling, Balotelli and Borini - have been woefully ineffective so far this evening. There can also be no doubting that the Reds miss Sturridge's guile in the final third. The visitors are enjoying a bit more of the ball at the moment, but they're lacking a bit of menace in attack.
GOAL! WEST HAM 2-1 LIVERPOOL (STERLING)
Game on! Liverpool pull one back through Sterling and it's a fantastic strike. A long ball into the box is controlled by Balotelli before being laid off to Sterling on the edge of the box. The winger then hits it first time, blasting it past Adrian.
Raheem Sterling: Has directly contributed to 4 of Liverpool's 7 goals (3 goals and 1 assist) in the Premier League this season
— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) September 20, 2014
That goal has changed the whole complexion of the game. West Ham are now looking a bit tentative on the ball, while Liverpool look energised. The Hammers were in a comfortable position at 2-0, but now they have to be careful. Football, eh?
CHANCE! West Ham come close to a third goal as Valencia's speculative free kick almost catches out Mignolet. However, the Liverpool shotstopper does well to get down low and push the ball away.
Bad news for Liverpool here as Lovren stays down following a clash of heads. The Croatia international looks to be in a bit of trouble as a number of medics come on to treat him.
The good news is that Lovren is back on his feet. Whether he'll be able to carry on is another matter. The defender is off the pitch for now as a decision is made.
Lovren's now back on the pitch, albeit with a big bandage on his head. It looks as if he'll be okay to continue. You'd imagine that there will be a good three or four minutes added at the end of the half. Meanwhile, Valencia has a crack at goal that Mignolet keeps out.
The Hammers are ending this half in positive fashion. Cresswell's wicked cross towards Sakho is cleared by Lovren for a corner, which West Ham fail to make anything of. Sam Allardyce is sure to be delighted with his players following their first-half display.
There will be SIX MINUTES of stoppage time...
Now it's Liverpool who are doing most of the pressing as we head towards the break. Sterling and Balotelli are beginning to pose more of a threat to the hosts, while Henderson and Gerrard are clicking well in midfield. It was all doom and gloom for the Reds after just six minutes of this match, but things are looking a bit better now.
HALF TIME: WEST HAM 2-1 LIVERPOOL
Well, what a first half that was! West Ham lead 2-1 following an opening 45 minutes that had plenty of entertainment. Reid and Sakho put the hosts 2-0 up with just six minutes gone, but Liverpool were able to pull one back before the break through Sterling. It's all to play for.
2 - Liverpool have conceded two goals inside the opening 10 mins of a single PL game for the first time since Feb 1994. Shell-shocked.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) September 20, 2014
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce will be very pleased with how his players have performed so far, but he'll be well aware that there is a long way to go before they can celebrate a win. Meanwhile, Brendan Rodgers will be cautiously optimistic that his team can come away from Upton Park with something.
Going away from this match for a moment, it's been another busy day of football in the Premier League with plenty of goals going in across the country. Here are the results from earlier:
QPR 2-2 Stoke
Aston Villa 0-3 Arsenal
Burnley 0-0 Sunderland
Newcastle 2-2 Hull City
Swansea 0-1 Southampton
It's hard to predict what's going to happen in the second half at Upton Park, but let's hope that it provides as much entertainment as the opening 45 minutes. One thing is for certain: Liverpool need to improve if they are to come away from East London with a point or more. The visitors have been well below par so far.
SECOND HALF UNDERWAY! The teams are back out and it will be Liverpool to get us back underway. The Reds have made a change as the break with Lallana replacing Lucas. Can the former Southampton midfielder give the visitors a boost?
It's been a positive start to the second half for Liverpool, who are putting some early pressure on the hosts. However, the Reds haven't threatened the Hammers during the opening stages.
West Ham are beginning to feel their way into the second half a bit now. No team is really dominating at the moment. In fact, it's been fairly scrappy during the last few minutes. Balotelli feeds Borini, who has a crack on the angle, bu Adrian is equal to it.
Something of a half-chance for West Ham as Valencia has a pop from the edge of the box, but his effort is blocked by Lovren. Both sides are attacking whenever they can, contributing to a proper end-to-end encounter. More of this and we could be in for a thrilling second half.
CHANCE! We've seen him do it before! Balotelli receives the ball on the edge of the box before attempting to curl it into the far corner. However, Adrian is equal to it. It's still very much end to end as we approach the hour mark.
CHANCE! Now it's Borini who curls the ball over the crossbar following some patient build-up play from Liverpool. There was also a penalty shout in there as Lallana went down inside the box, though the referee was having none of it. Meanwhile, West Ham make a change as Jenkinson replaces Demel.
CHANCE! Liverpool are really cranking up the heat now. Henderson's long-range effort takes a deflection on its way through, forcing Adrian into an unorthodox save. The visitors are spending more and more time in the West Ham half. They'll need to make some of this dominance count soon.
YELLOW CARD! He's only been on the pitch a few minutes, but Jenkinson goes into the book for a foul on Moreno.
SUBSTITUTION: Another swap for West Ham here as Song makes way for Amalfitano. Song has been excellent for the Hammers this evening, working hard in that midfield area.
CHANCE! Balotelli almost gives Liverpool an equaliser from nothing! The striker gets the ball out on the left before cutting onto his right foot and hitting a powerful drive towards goal. The ball dips and swerves on its way through, but Adrian is there to push it away.
Despite West Ham looking dangerous on the break, it's Liverpool who are controlling this match. The visitors are looking menacing as they mount attack after attack. The home side are used to defending for their lives, but can they hold out for the final 18 minutes or so?
SUBSTITUTION: Liverpool's final change of the evening sees Lambert replace Borini. Meanwhile, West Ham bring on Collins for Valencia. No guesses what the Hammers are going to do for the last 15 minutes.
Sam Allardyce is down on the touchline barking orders at his players as Liverpool continue to see most of the ball. You get the feeling that it's going to be a nervy finale for the hosts. They're trying to stifle Liverpool at the moment with a system of five at the back. The Reds are going to need plenty of patience if they want to unlock the opposition defence.
Credit to West Ham, they're remaining organised as Liverpool knock at the door. Amalfitano has certainly added a bit of bite to the midfield for the hosts, as demonstrated by him putting in a crunching tackle.
A win is probably out of reach for Liverpool now, but they'd certainly take a draw if you were to offer it to them. The visitors are seeing so much of the ball, though they're lacking imagination in the final third. Balotelli is being starved of service when he really needs the ball to be played into him.
GOAL! WEST HAM 3-1 LIVERPOOL (AMALFITANO)
That should be it for West Ham as the substitute Amalfitano restores their two-goal lead with minutes remaining! A poor head from Sakho allows Downing to run towards the Liverpool defence before threading the ball through to his teammate, who makes no mistake by poking it past Mignolet.
After losing Suarez Lfc were never going to score 100 goals + this season so had to be better defensively, they actually look worse now.
— Jamie Carragher (@Carra23) September 20, 2014
There will be FOUR MINUTES of added time...
As you might imagine, Brendan Rodgers is looking pretty dejected down on the touchline. He will not be happy with how his side has performed this evening. The Merseysiders have been very poor.
FULL TIME: WEST HAM 3-1 LIVERPOOL
The full-time whistle goes and it's a great win for West Ham as they beat Liverpool 3-1 to claim their first home victory of the season. Goals from Reid, Sakho and Amalfitano did the damage, while Sterling scored in response for the visitors.
That's all from our live text coverage of tonight's match, but you can keep up to date with all of the reaction from both camps right here on Sports Mole. Thanks for your company and we hope to see you soon. Goodbye!
Written by
Jack Prescott
Jack Prescott
