Reds claim smash and grab win against Hammers

Liverpool staged an impressive comeback to record back-to-back wins in the Premier League for the first time this season. After Johnson's stunning opener, the Hammers went in ahead at the break thanks to Noble's penalty and Gerrard's own goal. A well worked goal from Joe Cole and Collins' own goal meant the visitors returned to Merseyside pleased with their afternoon's work and with three crucial points in the proverbial bag.

With Suarez suspended after picking up his fifth booking of the season versus Southampton last weekend, Jonjo Shelvey started up front as a makeshift striker, with support from Sterling and, initially, Downing, although he reverted to left back when Joe Cole replaced the injured Jose Enrique approaching the half hour mark.

Class act- Johnson gave the Reds the lead

West Ham arguably started the better, Diame's strike thankfully rolling inches wide after a deflection off Carlton Cole had completely wrong-footed Pepe Reina. It was Liverpool who took the lead, though, after 11 minutes thanks to a piece of individual brilliance from Glen Johnson.

The England international marauded down the right wing before hammering a beautiful shot past the helpless Jussi Jasskelainen. It was a goal of the month contender that Johnson did well not to celebrate, instead respecting the former team he'd just scored his third goal against.

Johnson, who has arguably been one of the Reds' best players this season apart from the mercurial Luis Suarez, then almost assisted Sterling in doubling their lead a few minutes later. Jarvis was unable to cope with his pacy run forward and, after he squared the ball to Sterling, the teenager fired just wide of the target.

When Johnson went forward, though, his opponent Jarvis could often exploit the space he left behind and, midway through the first period, Agger was required to make a crucial block to prevent Cole turning Jarvis' cross home. For all the benefits of his attacking play, better opponents may be able to punish Johnson more for allowing them too much space behind him.

West Ham were still very much in the game at this point and, with a little help from referee Probert and Reds' skipper Steven Gerrard, managed to head in at the break in front. First, the referee ridiculously awarded the hosts a penalty after Demel blasted a shot that hit Allen's hands from point-blank range. There was absolutely nothing he could have done to move out of the way, yet West Ham had a penalty that Noble duly converted. Then, Liverpool shot themselves in the foot, as West Ham continued to apply pressure, culminating in Gerrard heading Jarvis' threatening cross past his own goalkeeper.

The Hammers' dominance continued into the second half, as Liverpool struggled to impose themselves on the contest and find a way back into the match. Nolan's shot was blocked by Agger and Collins headed Taylor's outswinging corner wide of the target, as the home side arguably looked more likely to score next. Apart from Sterling's excellent curled effort that brought out a good save from the keeper, Jasskelainen remained largely untroubled.

The momentum swung in Liverpool's favour, though, when West Ham's key man, Mohamed Diame, pulled up with a hamstring injury and had to be stretchered off. Combined with the arrival of Henderson, who seemed much more confident after netting the winner in Italy on Thursday, that point changed the match. Only five minutes later, Sterling and Henderson swapped passes to set up Cole, who shot into the corner of the net before refusing to celebrate scoring against his ex-employers.

Soon after, Henderson broke down the right and crossed into the middle towards Shelvey. Collins got to the ball first but he only succeeded in looping the ball over his own keeper and into the net, much to the delight of the Liverpool players and ecstatic travelling Kopites behind the goal.

Smash and grab- Shelvey celebrates a dramatic comeback

Thankfully, Liverpool held onto their lead to clinch their first League win immediately after a Europa League match in nine attempts. It was arguably a rare example of Liverpool winning when they didn't deserve to. West Ham played well enough to warrant at least a point, but the Reds were ruthless in attack despite missing their star striker. 

The performances of Shelvey, Cole and Henderson were particular positives, while Johnson's goal will live long in the memory. Most importantly, sitting fifth in the form table and only four points off fourth place, Liverpool's season is definitely beginning to turn around and gradual progress in the right direction is being made. 

After their worst start to the season in over a century, Liverpool are back on the road to recovery.

YNWA