Liverpool 2, West Ham 2: First Thoughts

Liverpool 1: Lallana 5’, Origi 48’

West Ham 1: Payet 27’, Antonio 39’

• Pre-Match Thought: Emre Can out with a “non-serious” knee injury, whatever that means. Other than that, pretty much exactly as we expected. Good to see Lallana and Matip back in the starting XI, and that should bode well for today’s performance. Although Liverpool can’t improve on their current third-place standing, they could help their Top 4 credentials with a win today, especially with both Manchester City and Tottenham dropping points on the weekend. Meanwhile, West Ham will be desperate to get out of the drop zone, and would do so with any result. Let’s hope the Reds can get a little revenge on the Hammers who have frankly had our number recently.
• In case you forgot what Adam Lallana did for this Liverpool side, his involvement leads to an early half-chance for Liverpool. Aaaand literally as I’m writing this...
• GOAL! Lallana puts the Reds up within 5 minutes of the opening kickoff. Mané beats his man out wide, finds Lallana with a cross, and the England international takes a touch and coolly finishes it with a left-footed strike to the far corner.
• Despite some good movement and the early goal, Loris Karius has already been called into service twice in the opening 8 minutes. First by punching a corner clear, and then getting a hand to Antonio’s shot. Good response from last week’s fiasco by our young ‘keeper.
• Goal. Lallana gives away a free kick in a dangerous spot, and Payet places the free kick perfectly, beating an outstretched Karius to draw the Hammers level. On replay it looked like Karius started a bit to far to his left, and Payet punished him for it.
• Goal. Ooof. That was bad. An unlucky deflection and some iffy defending puts Antonio through on goal and he dinks it past Karius who wasn’t quick enough to come off his line. For the second time in as many weeks Liverpool fall behind after leading.
• Liverpool denied a clear penalty just at the end of the half. Payet basically rugby tackles Lallana, but Clattenburg only gives a corner. Horrible no-call, that.
• Halftime Thought: The scoreline flatters West Ham, but Liverpool continue to prove themselves to be soft at the back. In attack the Reds have looked good, but only managed to get one shot on target—Lallana’s that ended up in the back of the net. More of that please.
• Ragnar Klavan comes on for Dejan Lovren. Possible injury? I can’t imagine why Klopp makes that change otherwise.
• GOAL! Liverpool equalize within minutes of the start of the half. Mané sends in a cross to no one in particular, but the keeper spills it right in front of Origi, who finishes it with an assist off the post.
• Georgino Wijnaldum nearly restores Liverpool’s lead moments after the goal, with a shot that goes just wide of the post. If Liverpool fail to get all three points today, it’ll be from some very fine margins (and a piss poor call from the ref).
• At the hour mark Liverpool are really dominating possession here in the second half, keeping West Ham pinned back. Keep up the pressure, Liverpool.
• Andy Carroll getting ready to come on. [Insert narrative here]
• Jordan Henderson nearly pulls another Chelsea moment out of the hat, but Randolph was up for the challenge and denies the captain’s wonder-strike.
• As we approach the last 10 minutes, Liverpool look gassed and out of ideas. They still have two unused subs, but really lack attacking options off the bench.
• ANOTHER legitimate penalty claim, as Origi is hacked down in the box without a call.
• Final Whistle Thought: Really disappointing result for the Reds. They were wasteful in possession and defensive mistakes cost them two points at the end. Mark Clattenburg didn’t help.

We'll be back shortly to take an in-depth look at everything that happened in today's game with the full recap. Until then, let us know your take on the ups and downs of the match in the comments, and if you haven't already, join the community on the Liverpool Offside, where we'll have full coverage and lively in-game discussion for every match this season.