Liverpool vs West Ham match report: Daniel Sturridge and Raheem Sterling enjoy perfect reunion

Liverpool 2 West Ham 0: Deadly duo lift lacklustre Liverpool on striker’s return

(Getty)

With such focus on two England centre forwards before this match, it was inevitable one would steal the show and the Kop sighed with relief when it was their returning talisman that shone brightest.

Bereft of Luis Suarez, it was cruel on Liverpool and Brendan Rodgers that injury robbed them of Daniel Sturridge’s services for five months, after his 24 League goals last year helped propel them so close to the title.

Rodgers said in his programme notes that Liverpool had regained their identity in the Capital One Cup, despite their midweek elimination. A key facet of that swashbuckling image last year was Sturridge, and his presence on the home bench was met with quite a roar, but the noise was handsomely usurped twice. Once when he rose from the dugout in the 68th minute and again when his superb control and finish sealed victory over a below-par West Ham.

A drab opening half from Liverpool had been rectified by one of Sturridge’s chief partners in crime last year, Raheem Sterling. The man “falsely” occupying the No 9 spot had been the stand-out performance in a ponderous Liverpool team in the first half, possibly missing the steadying influence of Steven Gerrard.

Andy Carroll failed to impress at his old club (Getty)

Much possession had yielded few clear-cut chances, but Sterling brought the Kop to its feet with the goal that set Liverpool on their way five minutes after the break. He chested down a cross from Alberto Moreno, and finished expertly after being put through by Philippe Coutinho’s return ball.

Sturridge’s prolific return last season was a far cry from the productivity of the £35m Andy Carroll during his unhappy spell on Merseyside. Returning yesterday with West Ham, Carroll was unable to make a point to Rodgers, the manager who deemed him surplus to requirements. After catching Emre Can in the face with a robust, but innocent, challenge early on, he injured himself with his own rash tackle, before being substituted.

Rodgers said: “It was nice for Daniel, he has been out for a long time and he has worked very hard. He is lethal. A great first touch and he has good power on both sides. It was a wonderful finish. I think you can see it will be a gradual return. But it’s better him scoring than not scoring. If he doesn’t score then everyone looks and wonders when he is going to get his first goal.”

West Ham’s manager, Sam Allardyce, thought his team ran out of steam because of injuries picked up and said they seem set to miss out on signing Manchester United midfielder Darren Fletcher. “Negotiations broke down this morning,” he said. “I really don’t know at this stage [if it will go through before the transfer window closes].”

Anything bordering on incisive from Liverpool emanated from Sterling and a delightful backheel set Coutinho away, only for West Ham’s goalkeeper Adrian to come to their rescue with a sharp, low save. With Gerrard missing as a precaution with a tight hamstring – he will be fit for the FA Cup replay with Bolton on Wednesday – West Ham continued to frustrate. Sterling looked to be hauled to the turf by Joey O’Brien and the ball scrambled to Lazar Markovic who dragged a glorious chance wide.

Raheem Sterling put the Reds ahead (Getty)

In Sterling, Liverpool had the outstanding player and after he made the breakthrough just after half-time, Jordan Henderson and Coutinho could have doubled the lead with long-range efforts before the game was put to bed by Sturridge 10 minutes from time.

LINE UPS

Liverpool (3-4-2-1): Mignolet; Sakho, Can, Skrtel; Moreno, Henderson, Lucas, Markovic (Sturridge, 68), Coutinho (Ibe, 81), Lallana; Sterling.

West Ham United (4-4-2): Adrian; Reid, Cresswell, Collins (Demel, 74), O’Brien; Amalfitano (Noble, 55), Nolan, Downing, Song; Carroll (Cole, 63), Valencia.

Referee: Andre Marriner

Man of the Match: Sterling (Liverpool)

Match rating: 6/10