Liverpool against West Ham United

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> <b>Jonjo Shelvey on for Raul Meireles</b>

Nice approach play from West Ham, but ultimately their final ball is poor and has been all afternoon.

The corner is wasted, neither team have taken advantage of set pieces in this match.

Corner to Liverpool, Kovac blocking Aurelio's cross...

Noble fouled by Maxi, West Ham free kick in their own half.

Liverpool have largely taken their foot off the accelerator in this half. Will they find the net again?

Can West Ham find a goal to send their fans home slightly happier?!

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> <b>James Tomkins on for Herita Ilunga</b>

Johnson trying to get forward again, Torres feeding him, but his first touch is heavy. Goal kick.

The linesmans flag is raised against Glen Johnson, free kick West Ham.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> <b>Fabio Aurelio on for David Ngog</b>

Robert Green with two wonderful saves in the space of a minute!!! First, from nowhere Torres unleashes a piledriver that is turned onto the crossbar. Seconds later, Christian Poulsen lets fly, only to see Green fly through the air and turn it around the post!

Both teams seem to have settled for this result now...

Can McCarthy provide any sort of spark for West Ham on what has been a miserable day?

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> <b>Benni McCarthy on for Carlton Cole</b>

Maxi goes close to accidentally making it four. Ngog does excellently to find him, he tries to find Torres, but he slices his cross and it nearly drops inside of the far post!

They take the corner short and eventually cross, Reina comes to gather the ball with ease.

Corner to West Ham, Piquionne hits a horrid cross which for a second looks like it may sneak in, Reina turns it over the bar...

The corner falls to Maxi again, he tries to find Raul Meireles, but puts it straight out for a throw.

The corner is headed clear to Maxi, he chests it down and hits a volley which is deflected for another corner...

Gabbidon needlessly concedes a corner when he could have put it out for a throw. West Ham must want to end this now.

Fernando Torres receives the ball from Maxi, takes a touch and fires a left-footed shot at goal. He mis-hits it high and wide.

"You're getting sacked in the morning" is the chant from the West Ham fans. A penny for Avram Grant's thoughts...

Johnson and Boa Morte exchanging some fisticuffs as the Portguese midfielder fouls the former Hammer. The referee deals with it well and neither are booked.

Torres almost in over the top, He takes a touch but Gabbidon is able to recover and make a clearance.

The answer is no, Piquionne attempting a dummy which promptly rolls straight to the feet of a Liverpool midfielder.

West Ham enjoying a rare spell of possession, can they use it?

Free kick Liverpool, Noble with a late challenge on Ngog.

Piquionne gets to the line and tries to whip in a cross on the stretch, Reina gathers it comfortably.

There really is very little happening on the Anfield turf at the moment. Will West Ham at least give it a go? Their fans are...

The West Ham fans are singing the name Paolo Di Canio, it's clear who they want at the helm...

West Ham are ocassionally trying to attack, but they seem devoid of belief.

Torres plays a swift one-two with Kuyt before curling an effort at goal. His shot strikes the arm of Gabbidon, but it would've have been a very harsh penalty award.

The atmosphere is a little flat at Anfield at the moment, largely because the game ended as a contest before half time.

Mark Noble with a speculative effort from 35 yards after good work from Piquionne, it's mis-hit and well wide.

Liverpool getting forward at will. Johnson whipping in a deep cross which evades everyone, even the stretching Ngog at the far post.

Neat play from West Ham in the Liverpool half, Noble's pass is eventually over hit out of play.

Early corner for Liverpool, Johnson is free in the penalty area and can only head the ball wide.

<b>KICK OFF</b> West Ham start the second period.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> <b>Pablo Barrera on for Victor Obinna</b>

Liverpool are half way to a much needed win. Roy Hodgson could do with his team finding a few more goals in the second half.

West Ham look like a team heading only one way. Their fans have clearly had enough, some of them making for the exits. The ones that remain have been in good voice, though.

<b>HALF TIME</b> Liverpool are three up and cruising. West Ham look to be heading for a hiding and the Championship.

Noble pulls back for Obinna after the corner is clear, his shot is awful, hitting the very top of the Anfield Road end.

Kuyt heads behind for a corner to West Ham...

<b>ONE MINUTE ADDED TIME</b>

Free kick West Ham right on the corner of the box, Obinna tripped by Konchesky...

Raul Meireles tries a strike on goal after being teed up by Torres. He drags his drive well wide.

Avram Grant's team have been awful. He must be worrying about his position now?

Glen Johnson getting forward again, his low cross is aimed at Ngog, who can't get a proper connection on his attempt.

Mark Noble with a curling effort which is well clear of the crossbar.

West Ham free kick in a dangerous position, Carragher fouling Piqiuonne.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> <b>Maxi Rodriguez makes it three!!!</b> Torres should have scored as he went through on goal. The ball fell to Konchesky, who whipped in a cross to the unmarked Maxi Rodriguez who headed home. Poor defending from West Ham.

Ambitious effort from Kuyt, hitting a half volley on the turn as it bounces across his body. It flies well wide of goal.

First attempt on goal for West Ham, Boa Morte's long ball arrives on Cole's head in the box. His connection is poor and Reina catches comfortably.

Rob Green makes a complete hash of the free kick, he fumbles it to Torres. The Spaniard hooks a shot goalwards which the West Ham defence eventually clear. West Ham have looked dreadful.

Kovac gives away a cheap free kick, Meireles can whip the ball in from here...

Ngog again try to ride challenges, he bites off more than he can chew and West Ham snuff out the chance.

Liverpool could get a hatful if they play their cards right here.

Boa Morte fouls Ngog, Liverpool free kick in the West Ham half.

Liverpool corner, Ngog getting to the byline and his cross is turned behind...

West Ham already look beaten after 27 minutes, it could be a long night for Hammers fans...

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> <b>Dirk Kuyt converts!</b> Two-nil Liverpool, it looks like game over.

<b>PENALTY TO LIVERPOOL!</b> Torres tries to burst through, in the melee Gabbidon handles the ball.

Liverpool are looking very comfortable, West Ham seem content to be one behind at the moment.

Torres involved again, this time Johnson's delightful cross arrives at his feet. As he tries to strike the volley he loses his bearings and makes a complete hash of his shot!

Torres controls a long ball gloriously and sprints clear. His low cross misses all of his teammates and West Ham clear.

Kovac with a truly awful pass, looking for Ilunga, his cross-field poor flies over his head and out of play.

A positive response from West Ham, Jacobsen's cross cleared as Obinna waited to pounce.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> <b>Glen Johnson against his old club!</b> The corner causes problems for West Ham. They allow Glen Johnson time to chest the ball down in the penalty area before firing low past Green. West Ham's poor start gets worse...

Meireles takes the corner short, playing a one-two with Maxi. The Portuguese fires a shot at goal which Green palms away for another corner...

Jacobsen heads behind a deep cross, Liverpool corner...

West Ham are sitting off Liverpool and allowing them plenty of time on the ball. The home team are yet to take advantage, though.

Kuyt and Ngog combine well before the Dutchman finds Torres. His shot is deflected high into the Anfield air, Green catches and West Ham survive.

Liverpool enjoying the lion's share of possession and looking to create chances.

Momentary confusion in the West Ham backline, Torres almost capitalises but Green gathers.

Liverpool looking positive and pushing forward early doors, West Ham's bold formation is not working at the moment.

Torres tries to spring down the left, taking on Gabbidon and finding a cross, but West Ham clear easily.

Fernando Torres with his first effort of the afternoon. Excellent work from Ngog, riding several challenges before finding his strike partner, he lashed wide from the edge of the box.

The game has settled down after a frantic open, West Ham getting a grip in proceedings.

A bright start for Liverpool! They are clearly looking to get ahead early tonight.

Raul Meireles threads a neat ball through which is almost inch perfect for Torres, who was away. It's just too long and Rob Green gathers.

Maxi Rodriguez with another rasping drive, this time it's narrowly wide of Green's nearpost!

David Ngog with a fantastic burst forward, cutting onto his right foot and forcing Green into a smart save!

West Ham bundle the corner clear. Seconds later Maxi Rodriguez fires a shot low and straight at Rob Green. A lively start!

Liverpool straight on the front foot, Kuyt feeding Johnson. His cross is wonderful and West Ham are forced to head it behind...

<b>KICK OFF</b> Liverpool get us started!

Both teams missing key players, Liverpool are without Steven Gerrard and West Ham are missing Scott Parker.

A massive match for both teams, Liverpool and West Ham both need a win at Anfield this evening.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> <b>Benni McCarthy on for Carlton Cole</b>

Maxi goes close to accidentally making it four. Ngog does excellently to find him, he tries to find Torres, but he slices his cross and it nearly drops inside of the far post!

They take the corner short and eventually cross, Reina comes to gather the ball with ease.

Corner to West Ham, Piquionne hits a horrid cross which for a second looks like it may sneak in, Reina turns it over the bar...

The corner falls to Maxi again, he tries to find Raul Meireles, but puts it straight out for a throw.

The corner is headed clear to Maxi, he chests it down and hits a volley which is deflected for another corner...

Gabbidon needlessly concedes a corner when he could have put it out for a throw. West Ham must want to end this now.

Fernando Torres receives the ball from Maxi, takes a touch and fires a left-footed shot at goal. He mis-hits it high and wide.

"You're getting sacked in the morning" is the chant from the West Ham fans. A penny for Avram Grant's thoughts...

Johnson and Boa Morte exchanging some fisticuffs as the Portguese midfielder fouls the former Hammer. The referee deals with it well and neither are booked.

Torres almost in over the top, He takes a touch but Gabbidon is able to recover and make a clearance.

The answer is no, Piquionne attempting a dummy which promptly rolls straight to the feet of a Liverpool midfielder.

West Ham enjoying a rare spell of possession, can they use it?

Free kick Liverpool, Noble with a late challenge on Ngog.

Piquionne gets to the line and tries to whip in a cross on the stretch, Reina gathers it comfortably.

There really is very little happening on the Anfield turf at the moment. Will West Ham at least give it a go? Their fans are...

The West Ham fans are singing the name Paolo Di Canio, it's clear who they want at the helm...

West Ham are ocassionally trying to attack, but they seem devoid of belief.

Torres plays a swift one-two with Kuyt before curling an effort at goal. His shot strikes the arm of Gabbidon, but it would've have been a very harsh penalty award.

The atmosphere is a little flat at Anfield at the moment, largely because the game ended as a contest before half time.

Mark Noble with a speculative effort from 35 yards after good work from Piquionne, it's mis-hit and well wide.

Liverpool getting forward at will. Johnson whipping in a deep cross which evades everyone, even the stretching Ngog at the far post.

Neat play from West Ham in the Liverpool half, Noble's pass is eventually over hit out of play.

Early corner for Liverpool, Johnson is free in the penalty area and can only head the ball wide.

<b>KICK OFF</b> West Ham start the second period.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> <b>Pablo Barrera on for Victor Obinna</b>

Liverpool are half way to a much needed win. Roy Hodgson could do with his team finding a few more goals in the second half.

West Ham look like a team heading only one way. Their fans have clearly had enough, some of them making for the exits. The ones that remain have been in good voice, though.

<b>HALF TIME</b> Liverpool are three up and cruising. West Ham look to be heading for a hiding and the Championship.

Noble pulls back for Obinna after the corner is clear, his shot is awful, hitting the very top of the Anfield Road end.

Kuyt heads behind for a corner to West Ham...

<b>ONE MINUTE ADDED TIME</b>

Free kick West Ham right on the corner of the box, Obinna tripped by Konchesky...

Raul Meireles tries a strike on goal after being teed up by Torres. He drags his drive well wide.

Avram Grant's team have been awful. He must be worrying about his position now?

Glen Johnson getting forward again, his low cross is aimed at Ngog, who can't get a proper connection on his attempt.

Mark Noble with a curling effort which is well clear of the crossbar.

West Ham free kick in a dangerous position, Carragher fouling Piqiuonne.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> <b>Maxi Rodriguez makes it three!!!</b> Torres should have scored as he went through on goal. The ball fell to Konchesky, who whipped in a cross to the unmarked Maxi Rodriguez who headed home. Poor defending from West Ham.

Ambitious effort from Kuyt, hitting a half volley on the turn as it bounces across his body. It flies well wide of goal.

First attempt on goal for West Ham, Boa Morte's long ball arrives on Cole's head in the box. His connection is poor and Reina catches comfortably.

Rob Green makes a complete hash of the free kick, he fumbles it to Torres. The Spaniard hooks a shot goalwards which the West Ham defence eventually clear. West Ham have looked dreadful.

Kovac gives away a cheap free kick, Meireles can whip the ball in from here...

Ngog again try to ride challenges, he bites off more than he can chew and West Ham snuff out the chance.

Liverpool could get a hatful if they play their cards right here.

Boa Morte fouls Ngog, Liverpool free kick in the West Ham half.

Liverpool corner, Ngog getting to the byline and his cross is turned behind...

West Ham already look beaten after 27 minutes, it could be a long night for Hammers fans...

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> <b>Dirk Kuyt converts!</b> Two-nil Liverpool, it looks like game over.

<b>PENALTY TO LIVERPOOL!</b> Torres tries to burst through, in the melee Gabbidon handles the ball.

Liverpool are looking very comfortable, West Ham seem content to be one behind at the moment.

Torres involved again, this time Johnson's delightful cross arrives at his feet. As he tries to strike the volley he loses his bearings and makes a complete hash of his shot!

Torres controls a long ball gloriously and sprints clear. His low cross misses all of his teammates and West Ham clear.

Kovac with a truly awful pass, looking for Ilunga, his cross-field poor flies over his head and out of play.

A positive response from West Ham, Jacobsen's cross cleared as Obinna waited to pounce.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> <b>Glen Johnson against his old club!</b> The corner causes problems for West Ham. They allow Glen Johnson time to chest the ball down in the penalty area before firing low past Green. West Ham's poor start gets worse...

Meireles takes the corner short, playing a one-two with Maxi. The Portuguese fires a shot at goal which Green palms away for another corner...

Jacobsen heads behind a deep cross, Liverpool corner...

West Ham are sitting off Liverpool and allowing them plenty of time on the ball. The home team are yet to take advantage, though.

Kuyt and Ngog combine well before the Dutchman finds Torres. His shot is deflected high into the Anfield air, Green catches and West Ham survive.

Liverpool enjoying the lion's share of possession and looking to create chances.

Momentary confusion in the West Ham backline, Torres almost capitalises but Green gathers.

Liverpool looking positive and pushing forward early doors, West Ham's bold formation is not working at the moment.

Torres tries to spring down the left, taking on Gabbidon and finding a cross, but West Ham clear easily.

Fernando Torres with his first effort of the afternoon. Excellent work from Ngog, riding several challenges before finding his strike partner, he lashed wide from the edge of the box.

The game has settled down after a frantic open, West Ham getting a grip in proceedings.

A bright start for Liverpool! They are clearly looking to get ahead early tonight.

Raul Meireles threads a neat ball through which is almost inch perfect for Torres, who was away. It's just too long and Rob Green gathers.

Maxi Rodriguez with another rasping drive, this time it's narrowly wide of Green's nearpost!

David Ngog with a fantastic burst forward, cutting onto his right foot and forcing Green into a smart save!

West Ham bundle the corner clear. Seconds later Maxi Rodriguez fires a shot low and straight at Rob Green. A lively start!

Liverpool straight on the front foot, Kuyt feeding Johnson. His cross is wonderful and West Ham are forced to head it behind...

<b>KICK OFF</b> Liverpool get us started!

Both teams missing key players, Liverpool are without Steven Gerrard and West Ham are missing Scott Parker.

A massive match for both teams, Liverpool and West Ham both need a win at Anfield this evening.