Morning all! We hope you had a good New Year and are ready for a bumper day of Premier League action with eight games throughout the afternoon and evening. It all starts at the Boleyn Ground with West Ham against Liverpool. Team news just out, so let's get to it...

WEST HAM XI: Adrian; Tomkins, Collins, Ogbonna, Cresswell; Kouyate, Noble; Lanzini, Valencia, Antonio; Carroll
Subs: Randolph, Jenkinson, Obiang, Song, Payet, Zarate, Jelavic

LIVERPOOL XI: Mignolet; Clyne, Lovren, Sakho, Moreno; Lucas, Can; Ibe, Firmino, Coutinho; Benteke
Subs: Bogdan, Toure, Lallana, Allen, Smith, Brannagan, Randall

Right then. Let's start with the Hammers, who have three changes in their starting lineup. Aaron Cresswell returns at left-back after missing his first-ever Premier League game against Southampton on Monday, while further forward Manuel Lanzini also returns and Andy Carroll starts after scoring the winner against the Saints. Carl Jenkinson, Alex Song and Mauro Zarate drop to the bench.

The big news for West Ham is that Dimitri Payet, who was so good in the early months of the season before suffering ankle ligament damage at the start of November, is back a month earlier than expected and on the bench today. Someone at West Ham doesn't know how to rotate photos...

PAYET: @dimpayet17 is back in the squad for today's game! #WHULIV #WHUFC pic.twitter.com/IxkTp5jxyC — West Ham United FC (@whufc_official) January 2, 2016

As for Liverpool, Jurgen Klopp has made two changes to the side that started against Sunderland on Wednesday night. Captain Jordan Henderson is dealing with a heel problem and sits out this one, so Lucas Leiva comes in in midfield. The other change sees Jordon Ibe preferred to Adam Lallana in the three-pronged attacking midfield behind in-form Christian Benteke.

Benteke came off the bench against Leicester on Boxing Day to score the winner against the surprise Christmas leaders and then got the nod against Sunderland, also scoring the only goal of the game at the Stadium of Light. He's celebrated both goals with 'The Silencer' move often used by basketball superstar LeBron James and Liverpool fans will be hoping to see it again today.

© Getty Images

Daniel Sturridge was expected to return from his latest setback today and that might have given Klopp a selection headache regarding who to start up top, but the England's striker has not travelled down to London, so might return in the League Cup semi-final first leg at Stoke City.

Let's take a closer look at the halfway Premier League table. As you can see, just a point separates these two after they both won on matchday 19, with Liverpool seventh and West Ham eighth. Both will go fifth for a few hours at least with a win.

#BPL in 2015 is done! Here's the table at the halfway mark of the season https://t.co/I0iipLno3c pic.twitter.com/Xkt8C9Um8p — Sports Mole (@SportsMole) December 30, 2015

West Ham will largely be remembered for their away form in the first half of the season and they won at Liverpool in one of three straight away wins to start the season - the other two being Arsenal and Man City. Impressive! Slaven Bilic's men have managed 16 points away so far and 13 at home, although they are unbeaten in seven Premier League home games since beginning their final season at the Boleyn with back-to-back defeats against Leicester and Bournemouth.

Liverpool, meanwhile, have had some memorable away results under Klopp, including a 3-1 win at Chelsea, 4-1 success at Man City and 6-1 thumping at Southampton in the League Cup. Although they have only scored once in their last four trips and that was Benteke's winner at Sunderland on Wednesday.

REFEREE WATCH: Speaking of that Southampton win, Robert Madley was the referee that day at St Mary's and he'll be in charge again today.

West Ham move to the Olympic Stadium from next season and vice-chairman Karren Brady assured supporters this week that they will sell out every home game at the 54,000-capacity arena in Stratford.

PIC: Jurgen Klopp makes his first - and most likely final - visit to the Boleyn Ground #WHULIV #WHUFC pic.twitter.com/VGmiQE7GPQ

— West Ham United FC (@whufc_official) January 2, 2016

Liverpool's win on Wednesday means that they are level on points with rivals Manchester United and nine behind the pace being set by Arsenal and Leicester. While some consider them outsiders for the title, few would think that West Ham have a shot at winning the league. That's now a view shared by Bilic, who said this week that he has got his sights set on the big prize. "We will never say we have a chance to win the league. Whereas for Liverpool it would be normal for them to say, 'yeah, we are nine points off'. It's in the head. And it takes time to change that," said Bilic.

H2H: West Ham's 3-0 win at Anfield in August - a game in which both teams had a man sent off - was the Hammers' first in 52 years at Anfield. Indeed, they have now won two of the last three times these sides have faced off, which is as many victories over the Reds as they managed in the previous 22 meetings.

A both-teams-to-score bet might be a good shout if you fancy a flutter today as both teams have scored in each of the last five Premier League matches between the two at the Boleyn Ground (21 in total).

A draw is probably the most likely result as well given that six of West Ham's last eight Premier League games have ended in a draw, including five in a row before Monday's 2-1 win over Southampton.

PREDICTION: Despite that, I'm backing the Hammers to win today. They have not lost at the Boleyn Ground since August 22 and the fact that they've had two extra days' rest might just make a difference, especially as they seem to have more options on the bench. I'll say 2-1 to the Hammers, but it really could go either way.

There will be plenty of pressure on Andy Carroll as he returns to the starting lineup against his former team after coming off the bench to score the winner against Southampton. The big striker makes his 150th Premier League appearance and 44 of those were for the Reds, who he scored just six league goals for. If he scores today, it will be the first time in 12 months that he's netted in back-to-back league games.

The two teams are in the tunnel, with Liverpool all in white today.

VIDEO: Here come the teams! #WHUFC #COYI #WHULIV pic.twitter.com/ZKlwGvoxx5

— West Ham United FC (@whufc_official) January 2, 2016

KICKOFF! Cracking atmosphere in East London as the visitors get us underway.

Will we see Payet much earlier than expected?! Valencia seems to be struggling badly with a hamstring problem already. He's trying to run it off, but things don't look good at the moment.

CLOSE! Liverpool so close to the opener as Ibe's low shot from 18 yards fizzes just wide. Some really neat one-touch passing from the visitors in the build-up there.

And yep, Payet has been sent out to warm up and he gets a warm round of applause from the home fans. How glad they must be to see the Frenchman back in kit after two months out. He was so good in his first three months as a Premier League player before suffering that injury against Everton in early November.

Errrm, if you say so..

7: Strange sort of game so far. It's like the ball is made out of rubber, bouncing around all over the gaff [0-0] #WHULIV #WHUFC

— West Ham United FC (@whufc_official) January 2, 2016

SHOT! West Ham's first effort on goal comes from Antonio, who scored his first Hammers goal against Southampton on Monday. His shot comes after Noble robbed the ball in a good position and fed the winger, who dragged wide from 20 yards.

Liverpool won't be happy about this as Moreno stayed down after a sliding tackle from Antonio, who sprinted down the other end to score. Looking back, Madley could have blown for a foul but he decided that Antonio got the bal. West Ham took advantage of Moreno's absence at left-back through Kouyata, who stormed down the wing before crossing to the back post where Antonio had escaped Clyne and powered home a header.

CHANCE! That early goal has turned up the volume at Upton Park and West Ham threaten a second as Cresswell's floated cross from the left is met by Carroll and his header into the turf is claimed comfortably by Mignolet.

Lanzini gives the ball away cheaply and Coutinho has the chance to shoot, but instead he looks for Firmino and Benteke at the back post. It was probably the right idea as there was a two-on-one at the back stick, but Coutinho picked out Tomkins instead of one of his teammates.

By the way, Valencia appears to have run off that early hamstring problem, so we won't be seeing Payet just yet.

OFF THE POST! Wow! Lanzini takes aim from 25 yards and smacks a swerving shot against the post. Mignolet went one way, but the ball bent the other and looked as if it was going until slapping back off the upright. West Ham get the ball back quickly and Cresswell's low cross to the near post just evades Antonio.

BOOKING! Easy decision here for Madley as he cautions Lanzini for a blatant pull of the shirt on Can.

Moreno recovers well to block Antonio's shot with a sliding tackle after playing the Ecuadorian onside. Liverpool look really shaky here and you feel that West Ham might get another goal soon.

My mate has just text me saying he brought in Antonio on fantasy football this week. Fair play.

PHOTO Michail Antonio scores his 2nd in 2 #BPL matches to give West Ham the lead. Still 1-0 (17 mins) #WHULIV pic.twitter.com/U8d9WPOIUc — Premier League (@premierleague) January 2, 2016

BOOKING! First Liverpool player into the book and it's a familiar one as Lucas is shown yellow. I think it's really harsh - Noble just got to the loose ball first and there was no malice in Lucas's lunge to reach it.

Poor here from Benteke as Collins slips to allow the Belgian through on goal. Tomkins manages to get back and clear it out for a corner, but Benteke should have used his body to shield the ball and then get a shot off.

Shocking again from Benteke as he takes a poor first touch when a good one would have made it able for him to tee up the onrushing Coutinho. West Ham are defending well here, but it feels a bit desperate at times. If Liverpool get the final pass/cross right, they could equalise soon.

Will the winger be able to keep his place when the likes of Payet and Moses return to full fitness?

GOAL! @Michailantonio scores and celebrates his second goal in #WestHam colours! [1-0] #WHULIV #WHUFC pic.twitter.com/zeigsMijt5 — West Ham United FC (@whufc_official) January 2, 2016

CHANCE! Antonio's persistence sees the ball eventually reach Valencia in the box and his shot from 10 yards is blocked well. He was a little off-balance and might have been better prodding the ball to Noble, who was ready to smash home.

Superb dribbling from Ibe down the right and he finds Can in the middle. The German has Moreno as a good option down the left, but inexplicably misses the ball when trying to sweep it on to the left-back.

"Handball?!" scream the Liverpool players as Collins blocks Coutinho's shot in the area. There was barely any distance between the two, so it would have been extremely harsh. Collins got away with a similar one at Swansea last month, but that was much less clear-cut.

CHANCE! Firmino can't quite get enough on the ball from a few yards out after a goalmouth scramble at a corner. Adrian went in bravely and appeared to be caught by the Brazilian's passing knee as he grabbed the loose ball. A moment earlier, Benteke's goalbound header was blocked by Carroll and there were faint cries of handball, but it clearly hit the striker in the groin.

Best move of the match from Liverpool as they ping it around before it reaches Firmino on the edge of the box. Lucas has got forward into a good position, but Firmino opts to shoot instead of passing to his fellow Brazilian and drags it woefully wide.

Big blow for West Ham here as Lanzini goes down clutching his leg. It doesn't look like the Argentinian, who hit the post with a wicked shot earlier, will be able to continue. Is Payet coming on?

WEST HAM SUB: Nope. Even though Payet would be a like-for-like replacement, Bilic looks like he wants a more defensive presence in midfield as Pedro Obiang is introduced.

SHOT! Cresswell loves to get forward from left-back and he almost makes it two goals in two appearances with a firmly-hit half-volley that Clyne blocks. That was heading on target and had Mignolet worried.

Liverpool only had one shot on target in the whole of the reverse at Anfield in August and that's all they've managed so far today. West Ham deservedly lead as half time approaches.

Make that two as Moreno lines up from distance and has his shot deflected up into the air before it lands in the hands of Adrian.

There will be five minutes of added time due to the injury stoppages we've had in the opening period.

OFF THE BAR! Lovely attempt from Can as the young German curls a first-time with the side of his foot against the angle of post and crossbar. 1-1 on the woodwork count.

Liverpool ending the half on top here. Can they nick an equaliser before the break?

Clyne commits a foul high up the pitch and that should be that for the first half.

Great half of football that. West Ham lead it by a goal to nil thanks to Antonio's 10th-minute header. We'll be back in no time for the second half.

© Getty Images

Righty ho, everyone ready for the second half? There were a total of 21 shots in the first half and only in the Liverpool-Leicester game on Boxing Day have there been more in the opening 45 this season.

KICKOFF! West Ham get us back underway. No changes at half time from either manager.

West Ham did lose Manuel Lanzini - on his first start since late November - to injury in the first half, though. Obiang came on in his place.

© Getty Images

He likes a shot from distance, does Coutinho. His latest one is well-hit, but also well over the top.

CHANCE! West Ham are sitting back too much here, inviting wave after wave of Liverpool attack. Coutinho finds the run of Moreno down the left and the Spaniard's cutback finds Benteke, who slices his effort well wide.

Proper header this as Carroll climbs highest at the back post to thunder home Noble's superb cross from the right. Liverpool started the second half strongly, but it's West Ham who now lead 2-0 thanks to a former Red.

"WHEEYYY!" jeer the Hammers supporters as Benteke balloons a left-footed volley miles over the bar. He can collect that ball when Liverpool go to the Olympic Stadium three miles away next season.

LIVERPOOL SUBS: Klopp makes a couple of changes, with Firmino and Moreno coming off for Lallana and youngster Brad Smith. It's the latter's second Premier League appearance and first in over two years.

WEST HAM SUB: The home fans are absolutely delighted to see Payet make his return. The Frenchman replaces Valencia.

Lallana has the fresh legs to surge away from Ogbonna down the right and his dinked cross is just ahead of Benteke, who had pulled away sneakily to the back post.

CLOSE! How have West Ham not scored here?! Cresswell is forward again down the left and his cross is met by Carroll. Mignolet keeps it out on the line before Antonio fails to beat the Belgian with the rebound. Liverpool still just about in this.

Superb defending from Ogbonna as he sticks out a leg to prevent Clyne's cross reaching Benteke for a tap-in.

Smith has a chance to make an impact after receiving the ball inside the box, but he tries to cut it back for a teammate and that allows Antonio to slide in and block. Have a go lad!

OFF THE LINE! Noble, who has been excellent in midfield for West Ham, kicks the ball up and away with Leiva's header from a corner looking destined to find the net. Liverpool are enjoying a good spell here and a goal would make for a really exciting final 10 minutes.

CLOSE! Coutinho this time takes aim from the edge of the area after Adrian failed to properly clear a corner. The shot beats the first load of bodies but then hits Carroll on the chest. Both teams think someone has handballed it, so it's best that Madley points for another corner.

PENALTY SHOUT! Benteke is going berserk here as Ogbonna blocks his goalbound header. Benteke thinks it's handball, but it hit Ogbonna in the side.

SHOT! West Ham looking for a killer third on the break as Noble volleys at goal from a tight angle and Mignolet palms it out. Moments ago Payet delighted the crowd with some showboating and Liverpool's players could not get near him.

WEST HAM SUB: Huge round of applause for Antonio, who has again impressed and will surely keep his place for the Hammers' next match.

CHANCE! Payet leads the break and sets up Kouyate to win it, but the midfielder rifles it too close to Mignolet and the Belgian batters it away.

CHANCE! Liverpool get the ball forward quickly and should pull a goal back as Allen, who replaced Sakho a few minutes ago, heads just wide from 10 yards. Should have at least got it on target.

Three more minutes to play and barring a collapse, West Ham are going fifth in the table.

All over and what a way to start their final calendar year at the Boleyn Ground for West Ham. As it was on Monday, Antonio and Carroll score the goals, but mentions must also be given to Collins, Ogbonna, Cresswell and Noble. A superb team performance from the Hammers, who leapfrog Liverpool and go fifth for the time being.

That's all we've got time for here, thanks for joining us. I'll leave you with our match report and point you in the direction of our live coverage of Man Utd vs. Swansea.