West Ham United 0, Liverpool 4: First Thoughts

West Ham United 0 Liverpool 4 Sturridge 35’, Coutinho 57’, 61’, Origi ‘76

• Pre-Match thoughts: 2013/14. 2015/16. Alas. Today Liverpool's technical and mental qualities will be tested once again. Only a win will keep Jürgen Klopp's team on course for a top four finish, but after Arsenal's 4-1 win over Stoke City yesterday, West Ham United taking any points will be a disaster. Over to you, Liverpool.
• No Roberto Firmino today so Daniel Sturridge and Divock Origi start together up front. It looks like a diamond in midfield with Philippe Coutinho at the top, Adam Lallana and Georginio Wijnaldum as the shuttlers, and Emre Can at the base. West Ham are missing players as are Liverpool so no excuses.
• Sam Byram nearly scores from the right within the first ten minutes but dragged his shot wide. West Ham had a few good attacks down Liverpool’s right with a few uncharacteristically suspect moments from Nathaniel Clyne. Sturridge is making a few interesting runs even if he is paying homage to Filippo Inzaghi more than he should.
• CLOSE! A Joël Matip header from Coutinho’s corner nearly broke the deadlock. The towering defender headed the ball downards to goal, but the ball bounced up off the bar.
• Liverpool are taking control of the game midway through the first half. Matip is finding space in attacking corner, Sturridge’s movement makes the attack more fluid, and Coutinho’s class in midfield helps build up play. Continue in this vein and a goal will come.
• GOAL! We signed both of them in January 2013. Coutinho provided the vision and trickery to supplement Sturridge’s movement and finishing. They combined wonderfully and have done so again. Coutinho slice West Ham’s defence with a through ball to Sturridge who is free and clear after timing his run perfectly. A skip and turn to give the goalkeeper the slip. The away side have the lead.
• LUCKY! Terrible play from Milner in possession down Liverpool’s defensive left to give West Ham a chance to counter. Only a couple of minutes remaining, too. Silly, silly, silly. West Ham have a corner that they’ll probably score from. André Ayew hits the post!
• Halftime thoughts: Coutinho in a central position has given Liverpool the craft and composure that has been lacking for some time. He is more unpredictable and influential centrally, and the undeniable vision that he possesses can disrupt defences even more. He also offers a long-range goal threat, hard work, and an appetite for getting stuck in for a player with his skill set. Milner has been awful. Clyne hasn't been
• Liverpool have started the second half with ferocious intent. Liverpool had three good chances in two minutes and look like they want to finish West Ham off.
• Liverpool can score as much as they want here. West Ham are done.
• GOAL! Wijnaldum’shot from the heavens thundered hard off the bar a few minutes before the hour mark, Coutinho picks up the ball outside the area before moving forward with time and space to pick his spot. Delightful. Game over?
• GOAL! Four minutes later Coutinho sealed all three points for the away side. Wijnaldum probably handled the ball in his own area, but the referee didn't give the home side a penalty. Tough luck, but Liverpool took full advantage on the counter. A swift move left Coutinho with space to eat into as he cut inside into the area and slammed the ball high beyond Adrian.
• It's a training game now.
• GOAL! West Ham have fallen apart and conceded a messy goal. Divock Origi got his name on the scoresheet with a simple finish from close range.
• Final thoughts: Four straight away wins. Another clean sheet. A big, big win.

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.