Match Preview
Live Coverage
Match Report
Barclays Premier League
Saturday, 31 January 2015,
- Kickoff: 16:00 BST
- Stadium: Anfield
- Referee: -
- Stadium: Anfield
- Attendance: 44,718
- 51' Raheem Sterling
- 80' Daniel Sturridge
Liverpool
Half time
Full time
West Ham United
- Preview
- Live Commentary
- Stats
- Form
- Teams
- Report
Downing return could haunt Rodgers
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers knows his decision to sell Stewart Downing could come back to haunt him again when he comes up against the West Ham star on Saturday.
Few questioned Rodgers' decision to sell Downing to West Ham last season, as despite arriving at Anfield with a B£20million price tag on his shirt, Downing struggled to hold down a first-team place with the Reds and often ended up filling in at left-back.
Eighteen months on, Downing has become one of the most effective midfielders in the Premier League.
"Stewart was one I did not want to let go," the Liverpool boss said.
"It was a difficult start for him, but when we worked together at the beginning in the second part of the season he was one of the regular players so he wasn't someone who I wanted to move on.
"He and has done very well at West Ham.
"He is a really gifted player technically, he has a wonderful technique, he plays games and trains every day and is a good guy so it's not surprised me how well he has done."
Downing is not the only West Ham player who will be hoping to prove Rodgers wrong on Saturday.
Andy Carroll joined Liverpool from Newcastle for B£35million four years ago, but returned just two goals in his first season at the club.
Like Downing, he has found a new lease of life since Rodgers sold him to West Ham, although his time at Upton Park has been hindered somewhat by injury.
Although Rodgers has no regrets about letting Carroll go, he has been impressed by the 26-year-old's form since he returned from a four-month foot injury layoff.
"Andy is fantastic football player," said Rodger.
"He has quality and ability around the box.
"I just felt in terms of how I play and maybe how the team operates that he might not have been a regular player because of the movement and the speed at which we try to work.
"But that doesn't mean he is a bad player. He is an outstanding player and when he is fit he has shown that at West Ham."
Rodgers' only injury doubt for Saturday's game is defender Mamadou Sakho, who is struggling with a back problem he suffered in the 1-0 extra-time defeat at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday.
Sam Allardyce is hoping a number of his West Ham players can recover from minor knocks.
The Hammers are looking for a Premier League double over Brendan Rodgers' side but could be without a host of first-team regulars, with Carl Jenkinson, James Tomkins and Alex Song all struggling.
Joey O'Brien (hamstring) and James Collins (groin) could add to Allardyce's defensive woes but Senegal's exit from the African Nations Cup may see Cheikhou Kouyate return in midfield.
Allardyce played down reports linking strikers Diafra Sakho and Enner Valencia with a move to London rivals Chelsea and insists he will not be looking to bring in any other forwards during the January transfer window.
"By email, text or phone? How have they sounded us out?," the 60-year-old replied when asked about reported contact from Chelsea.
"The only way it has been sounded out is through the media, certainly not through club to club."
"With us having Andy Carroll, Diafra Sakho, Carlton Cole and Enner Valencia we have more than enough front men to cope with the demand for the rest of the season. In the summer we'll reassess our aims and the squad but for now we're fine with the four options we've got."
Possession
- Liverpool
- West Ham United
Shots
Shots on target
Fouls
Corners
Yellow Cards
Red Cards
Head to Head
| Liverpool | 2 - 0 | West Ham |
| West Ham | 3 - 1 | Liverpool |
| West Ham | 1 - 2 | Liverpool |
| Liverpool | 4 - 1 | West Ham |
| Liverpool | 0 - 0 | West Ham |
| West Ham | 2 - 3 | Liverpool |
Liverpool
- 22Simon Mignolet
- 17Mamadou Sakho
- 23Emre Can
- 50Lazar Markovic
- -> Daniel Sturridge
- 18Alberto Moreno
- 31Raheem Sterling
- 37Martin Skrtel
- 20Adam Lallana
- 14Jordan Henderson
- 10Philippe Coutinho
- -> Jordan Ibe
- 21Lucas
- Subs
- 24Joe Allen
- 9Rickie Lambert
- 29Fabio Borini
- 52Danny Ward
- 2Glen Johnson
West Ham
- 13Adrián
- 3Aaron Cresswell
- 19James Collins
- -> Guy Demel
- 2Winston Reid
- 17Joey O'Brien
- 4Kevin Nolan
- 11Stewart Downing
- 21Morgan Amalfitano
- -> Mark Noble
- 31Enner Valencia
- 30Alex Song
- 9Andy Carroll
- -> Carlton Cole
- Subs
- 7Matthew Jarvis
- 23Diego Poyet
- 35Reece Oxford
- 22Jussi Jaaskelainen
Daniel Sturridge scores on Liverpool return in win over West Ham
Striker Daniel Sturridge enjoyed the perfect return from injury as he scored within 12 minutes of coming off the bench to give Liverpool's Champions League ambitions a timely boost.
The 25-year-old had been missing for five months -- 33 matches and 3,030 minutes of football in total -- with thigh and calf injuries but showed he had lost none of his clinical finishing skills with an angled strike past Adrian to complete a 2-0 victory over West Ham.
His short-term stand-in Raheem Sterling had scored his fifth goal in 10 matches, which is not a bad return for an only-recently converted centre-forward, to put the Reds on the road to victory but Sturridge applied the finishing touch to put the result beyond doubt.
Sturridge's 22-minute run-out, having replaced Lazar Markovic, could not have gone better and it ensured another England striker did not grab the headlines on his return to Anfield.
Exactly four years to the day Liverpool signed Andy Carroll in a still staggering club-record 35 million pound deal but having been unceremoniously dumped by Brendan Rodgers the big front man arrived with a point to prove.
The only points he made in the first half, however, seemed to come from his elbow as he caught Emre Can in the mouth and Markovic in the face either end of the half.
His first indiscretion, which left the Germany Under-21 international with a bloodied mouth, appeared to carry more intent than the second, accidental knock, but referee Andre Marriner saw nothing he felt warranted a foul.
Aside from one header, easily saved by Simon Mignolet, at a corner that was the sum effort of his afternoon.
After the break his clumsiness continued when he was booked for catching Emre Can with a late, sliding tackle. He appeared to injure himself and was replaced by Carlton Cole soon after.
Liverpool showed many familiar traits; quick passing, neat build-up until the final third and a lack of threat inside the penalty area.
Philippe Coutinho, Adam Lallana -- back in the starting line-up for the rested Steven Gerrard -- and Markovic (twice) had their best opportunities while Sterling wanted a penalty just before the break after Joey O'Brien appeared to haul him to the floor.
However, the West Ham defence could not get near the England forward for his goal six minutes after half-time when he slotted Coutinho's brilliant through-ball past Adrian.
It had all the hallmarks of a genuine striker's cool finish and was a reflection not only of Sterling's continued improvement in front of goal but also the growing understanding between himself and Coutinho, another of the Reds' bright young things.
Rodgers has frequently described the Brazil international as a "magician" and his ability to produce the trickery to unlock defences as tight as West Ham's will be something Sturridge will relish as he makes his way back into the action.
He certainly took full advantage after coming off the bench in the 68th minute.
Having received a rapturous reception from an Anfield crowd starved of his goal threat for far too long he rewarded them with an angled strike after exchanging passes with Coutinho.
It was almost like he had not been away but it was evident there was some rustiness when he snatched at the rebound from fellow substitute Jordan Ibe's shot.
Where Liverpool would have been now had Sturridge been fit for the majority of the season is a hypothetical debate but this result meant they moved ahead of their opponents, who have not won at Anfield since 1963.
Where they are now is eyeing a Champions League spot, buoyed by the return of their first-choice goalscorer, with fourth-placed Southampton just points away, albeit with a match in hand.
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91'+4
End Regular Time
91'+3
Simon Mignolet (Liverpool) Free Kick at 94'
91'+3
Simon Mignolet (Liverpool) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
91'+2
Corner, West Ham United. Conceded by Mamadou Sakho.
91'+2
Jordan Ibe (Liverpool) Throw In at 93'
91'+1
Stewart Downing (West Ham United) Free Kick at 92'
91'+1
Raheem Sterling
91'
Stewart Downing (West Ham United) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
90'
Guy Demel (West Ham United) Throw In at 90'
89'
Jordan Ibe (Liverpool) Throw In at 89'
88'
Guy Demel (West Ham United) Throw In at 88'
88'
Guy Demel (West Ham United) Throw In at 88'
88'
Guy Demel (West Ham United) Throw In at 88'
88'
Guy Demel (West Ham United) Throw In at 88'
87'
Lucas (Liverpool) Free Kick at 87'
87'
Foul by Alexandre Song (West Ham United).
86'
Adrián (West Ham United) Free Kick at 86'
86'
Mark Noble (West Ham United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
83'
Attempt missed. Daniel Sturridge (Liverpool) left footed shot from the centre of the box misses to the left.
83'
Attempt saved. Jordon Ibe (Liverpool) left footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the bottom right corner.
83'
Winston Reid (West Ham United) Blocked Pass at 83'
82'
Adam Lallana (Liverpool) Blocked Pass at 82'
82'
Alberto Moreno (Liverpool) Throw In at 82'
81'
Substitution, Liverpool. Jordon Ibe replaces Philippe Coutinho.
80'
2 - 0
Goal! Liverpool 2, West Ham United 0. Daniel Sturridge (Liverpool) right footed shot from a difficult angle on the right to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Philippe Coutinho.
80'
Philippe Coutinho (Liverpool) Assists Shot at 80'
80'
Adam Lallana (Liverpool) Throw In at 80'
79'
Aaron Cresswell (West Ham United) Throw In at 79'
78'
Attempt missed. Daniel Sturridge (Liverpool) header from the centre of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Adam Lallana with a cross.
78'
Adam Lallana (Liverpool) Assists Shot at 78'
78'
Adam Lallana (Liverpool) Throw In at 78'
77'
Corner, West Ham United. Conceded by Simon Mignolet.
77'
Stewart Downing (West Ham United) Corner Kick at 77'
76'
Adrián (West Ham United) Free Kick at 76'
76'
Hand ball by Lucas Leiva (Liverpool).
74'
Attempt missed. Winston Reid (West Ham United) header from the centre of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Mark Noble with a cross following a corner.
74'
Mark Noble (West Ham United) Assists Shot at 74'
74'
Emre Can (Liverpool) Corner Kick at 74'
74'
Aaron Cresswell (West Ham United) Throw In at 74'
74'
Substitution, West Ham United. Guy Demel replaces James Collins.
73'
Adam Lallana (Liverpool) Blocked Pass at 73'
71'
Jordan Henderson (Liverpool) Free Kick at 71'
71'
Raheem Sterling (Liverpool) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
71'
Emre Can (Liverpool) Free Kick at 71'
70'
Hand ball by Carlton Cole (West Ham United).
70'
Attempt blocked. Jordan Henderson (Liverpool) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
69'
Foul by Alexandre Song (West Ham United).
69'
Joey O'Brien (West Ham United) Throw In at 69'
68'
Substitution, Liverpool. Daniel Sturridge replaces Lazar Markovic.
68'
Attempt missed. Jordan Henderson (Liverpool) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the left. Assisted by Adam Lallana.
68'
Adam Lallana (Liverpool) Assists Shot at 68'
67'
Adrián (West Ham United) Free Kick at 67'
66'
Stewart Downing (West Ham United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
65'
Attempt saved. Philippe Coutinho (Liverpool) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom left corner.
65'
James Collins (West Ham United) Blocked Pass at 65'
64'
Aaron Cresswell (West Ham United) Blocked Pass at 64'
64'
Mamadou Sakho (Liverpool) Free Kick at 64'
64'
Mamadou Sakho (Liverpool) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
64'
Attempt saved. Enner Valencia (West Ham United) left footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Carlton Cole.
64'
Carlton Cole (West Ham United) Assists Shot at 64'
63'
Winston Reid (West Ham United) Free Kick at 63'
63'
Substitution, West Ham United. Carlton Cole replaces Andy Carroll.
63'
Foul by Lazar Markovic (Liverpool).
62'
Lazar Markovic (Liverpool) Throw In at 62'
62'
Lazar Markovic (Liverpool) Throw In at 62'
60'
Andy Carroll
59'
Mark Noble (West Ham United) Free Kick at 59'
58'
Foul by Lazar Markovic (Liverpool).
58'
Lucas (Liverpool) Blocked Pass at 58'
58'
Alberto Moreno (Liverpool) Throw In at 58'
57'
Joey O'Brien (West Ham United) Throw In at 57'
56'
Alberto Moreno (Liverpool) Throw In at 56'
55'
Joey O'Brien (West Ham United) Throw In at 55'
55'
Substitution, West Ham United. Mark Noble replaces Morgan Amalfitano.
55'
Joey O'Brien (West Ham United) Throw In at 55'
54'
Jordan Henderson (Liverpool) Free Kick at 54'
53'
Raheem Sterling (Liverpool) wins a free kick on the right wing.
53'
Lazar Markovic (Liverpool) Throw In at 53'
53'
Lazar Markovic (Liverpool) Throw In at 53'
53'
Aaron Cresswell (West Ham United) Throw In at 53'
52'
Lazar Markovic (Liverpool) Throw In at 52'
51'
1 - 0
Goal! Liverpool 1, West Ham United 0. Raheem Sterling (Liverpool) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Philippe Coutinho with a through ball.
51'
Philippe Coutinho (Liverpool) Assists Shot at 51'
50'
Lazar Markovic (Liverpool) Throw In at 50'
50'
Stewart Downing (West Ham United) Blocked Pass at 50'
50'
Attempt missed. Raheem Sterling (Liverpool) right footed shot from outside the box is too high. Assisted by Lazar Markovic.
50'
Lazar Markovic (Liverpool) Assists Shot at 49'
48'
Andy Carroll (West Ham United) Blocked Pass at 48'
48'
Alberto Moreno (Liverpool) Throw In at 48'
47'
Attempt missed. Alberto Moreno (Liverpool) left footed shot from the left side of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Raheem Sterling with a cross.
47'
Raheem Sterling (Liverpool) Assists Shot at 47'
46'
Joey O'Brien (West Ham United) Throw In at 46'
46'
Attempt blocked. Kevin Nolan (West Ham United) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Enner Valencia.
46'
Enner Valencia (West Ham United) Assists Shot at 46'
46'
Second Half begins Liverpool 0, West Ham United 0.
46'+1
First Half ends, Liverpool 0, West Ham United 0.
46'
Attempt missed. Lazar Markovic (Liverpool) right footed shot from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the left.
45'
Alberto Moreno (Liverpool) Throw In at 45'
45'
Joey O'Brien (West Ham United) Throw In at 45'
45'
Philippe Coutinho (Liverpool) Blocked Pass at 45'
44'
Jordan Henderson (Liverpool) Free Kick at 44'
44'
Raheem Sterling (Liverpool) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
44'
Jordan Henderson (Liverpool) Free Kick at 44'
43'
Foul by Andy Carroll (West Ham United).
43'
Attempt saved. Lucas Leiva (Liverpool) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Philippe Coutinho.
43'
Philippe Coutinho (Liverpool) Assists Shot at 43'
42'
Lazar Markovic (Liverpool) Throw In at 42'
42'
Alex Song (West Ham United) Blocked Pass at 42'
41'
Adrián (West Ham United) Free Kick at 41'
40'
Offside, Liverpool. Lazar Markovic tries a through ball, but Adam Lallana is caught offside.
39'
Attempt missed. Adam Lallana (Liverpool) left footed shot from the centre of the box misses to the left.
39'
Attempt blocked. Raheem Sterling (Liverpool) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Lucas Leiva with a headed pass.
39'
Lucas (Liverpool) Assists Shot at 39'
38'
Jordan Henderson (Liverpool) Corner Kick at 38'
38'
Corner, Liverpool. Conceded by Enner Valencia.
38'
Attempt blocked. Jordan Henderson (Liverpool) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
37'
Jordan Henderson (Liverpool) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
37'
Mamadou Sakho (Liverpool) Throw In at 37'
36'
Jordan Henderson (Liverpool) Free Kick at 36'
36'
Jordan Henderson (Liverpool) wins a free kick on the right wing.
35'
Stewart Downing (West Ham United) Corner Kick at 35'
35'
Corner, West Ham United. Conceded by Alberto Moreno.
35'
Stewart Downing (West Ham United) Free Kick at 35'
34'
Foul by Philippe Coutinho (Liverpool).
34'
Attempt saved. Andy Carroll (West Ham United) header from the centre of the box is saved in the top right corner. Assisted by James Collins with a headed pass.
34'
James Collins (West Ham United) Assists Shot at 34'
33'
Emre Can (Liverpool) Corner Kick at 33'
33'
Aaron Cresswell (West Ham United) Throw In at 33'
33'
Lazar Markovic (Liverpool) Throw In at 33'
32'
Aaron Cresswell (West Ham United) Throw In at 32'
32'
Lazar Markovic (Liverpool) Throw In at 32'
31'
Adrián (West Ham United) Free Kick at 31'
31'
Joey O'Brien (West Ham United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
30'
Corner, Liverpool. Conceded by Winston Reid.
30'
Adam Lallana (Liverpool) Corner Kick at 30'
30'
Adrián (West Ham United) Free Kick at 30'
29'
Foul by Alberto Moreno (Liverpool).
28'
Lazar Markovic (Liverpool) Throw In at 28'
28'
Enner Valencia (West Ham United) Blocked Pass at 28'
28'
Joey O'Brien (West Ham United) Throw In at 28'
27'
Attempt missed. Andy Carroll (West Ham United) header from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Stewart Downing with a cross following a corner.
27'
Stewart Downing (West Ham United) Assists Shot at 27'
26'
Andy Carroll (West Ham United) Corner Kick at 26'
26'
Corner, West Ham United. Conceded by Martin Skrtel.
26'
Andy Carroll (West Ham United) Blocked Pass at 26'
25'
Jordan Henderson (Liverpool) Blocked Pass at 25'
25'
Alex Song (West Ham United) Blocked Pass at 25'
24'
Alberto Moreno (Liverpool) Throw In at 24'
24'
Attempt saved. Philippe Coutinho (Liverpool) right footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Raheem Sterling.
24'
Raheem Sterling (Liverpool) Assists Shot at 24'
23'
Lazar Markovic (Liverpool) Throw In at 23'
23'
Alex Song (West Ham United) Blocked Pass at 23'
23'
Lazar Markovic (Liverpool) Throw In at 23'
22'
Lazar Markovic (Liverpool) Corner Kick at 22'
22'
Corner, Liverpool. Conceded by Stewart Downing.
21'
Corner, Liverpool. Conceded by Aaron Cresswell.
21'
Philippe Coutinho (Liverpool) Corner Kick at 21'
21'
Corner, Liverpool. Conceded by James Collins.
20'
Alberto Moreno (Liverpool) Throw In at 20'
19'
Emre Can (Liverpool) Free Kick at 19'
19'
Offside, West Ham United. Stewart Downing tries a through ball, but Enner Valencia is caught offside.
19'
Attempt saved. Jordan Henderson (Liverpool) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Raheem Sterling.
19'
Raheem Sterling (Liverpool) Assists Shot at 19'
18'
Kevin Nolan (West Ham United) Corner Kick at 18'
18'
Corner, West Ham United. Conceded by Martin Skrtel.
18'
Attempt blocked. Kevin Nolan (West Ham United) left footed shot from a difficult angle on the left is blocked.
18'
Attempt blocked. Enner Valencia (West Ham United) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
17'
Foul by Lucas Leiva (Liverpool).
16'
Attempt blocked. Adam Lallana (Liverpool) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
13'
Lazar Markovic (Liverpool) Throw In at 13'
12'
Lucas (Liverpool) Free Kick at 12'
12'
Philippe Coutinho (Liverpool) wins a free kick on the left wing.
11'
Lucas (Liverpool) Blocked Pass at 11'
11'
Aaron Cresswell (West Ham United) Throw In at 11'
10'
Adrián (West Ham United) Free Kick at 10'
10'
Joey O'Brien (West Ham United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
10'
Alberto Moreno (Liverpool) Blocked Pass at 10'
9'
Alex Song (West Ham United) Blocked Pass at 9'
9'
Attempt missed. Adam Lallana (Liverpool) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right.
8'
Stewart Downing (West Ham United) Free Kick at 8'
8'
Foul by Emre Can (Liverpool).
7'
Andy Carroll (West Ham United) Blocked Pass at 7'
6'
Attempt missed. Lazar Markovic (Liverpool) right footed shot from the right side of the box misses to the right.
6'
Attempt blocked. Lazar Markovic (Liverpool) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.
6'
Alberto Moreno (Liverpool) Blocked Pass at 6'
6'
Morgan Amalfitano (West Ham United) Throw In at 6'
2'
Lazar Markovic (Liverpool) Throw In at 2'
1'
Joey O'Brien (West Ham United) Throw In at 1'
1'
First Half begins.