Liverpool v West Ham: Live matchday blog
Follow our live matchday blog throughout the day for all the build-up, team news, action, in-game stats and post-match reaction when Liverpool take on West Ham United at Anfield. Tweet us using #LFCMatchdayBlog.
- Adam Lallana gives Liverpool the lead in the fifth minute with an excellent finish from Sadio Mane's cross.
- Dimitri Payet equalises with a free-kick midway through the first half, before Michail Antonio puts the visitors ahead shortly before the break.
- Divock Origi levels for the Reds early in the second half, but the hosts are unable to force a winner and the game finishes 2-2.
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You can read a full transcript from the boss' post-match press conference here
JK: "Dejan went off at half-time with what we hope was cramp."
JK: "We played football with a big passion today. The fans were great."
JK: "The most intense time of the season is coming now. Our expectation is to be in the top region of the table in the decisive moment of the season."
JK: "We tried everything, but of course you can say we could've done better. In the end it's a draw, maybe I need a night to feel a bit better."
Jürgen Klopp has arrived for his post-match press conference
"It's a negative that we didn't win, but it's still a point. It's mixed emotions," says the boss.
Here's how the top of the Premier League table looks after today's draw...
Jürgen Klopp has arrived for his post-match press conference
"It's a negative thing that we didn't win, but it's still a point. It's mixed emotions," says the boss
Full Time
Late Liverpool pressure comes to nothing and the final score is 2-2
Adam Lallana gave the Reds an early lead, before Dimitri Payet and Michail Antonio put the visitors ahead at half-time.
Divock Origi equalised early in the second period, but Jürgen Klopp's side were unable to find a winner, despite plenty of late pressure.
The fourth official indicates there will be three minutes added on.
It remains 2-2...
A lovely, flowing move from Liverpool ends with Nathaniel Clyne firing over.
Substitution
Edmilson Fernandes replaces Manuel Lanzini for West Ham
Liverpool still pushing, but to no avail yet. 13 minutes remaining...
A wonderful, curling effort from Jordan Henderson is tipped over by Randolph.
That would have been reminiscent of the captain's screamer at Chelsea earlier in the season.
Substitution
A first change for the Hammers, as former Reds striker Andy Carroll replaces Andre Ayew
Wijnaldum goes close again
Liverpool's No.5 bends a right-footed effort wide after being played in down the left
The Reds are bossing this now, but they haven't yet been able to test Randolph again since Origi's equaliser.
Anfield is very, very noisy now
Gini Wijnaldum goes close with a left-footed shot before Origi sees his effort deflected wide.
Liverpool back in charge.
Goal
Divock Origi equalises for Liverpool!
Darren Randolph spills Sadio Mane's cross and Origi is on hand to stab the ball home from close range. Four goals in his last four games for the Belgian striker!
2-2 early in the second half.
Substitution
A half-time change for Liverpool, as Ragnar Klavan replaces Dejan Lovren
The latest odds from LFC's official betting partner, Bet Victor...
Liverpool - 13/8
Draw - 21/10
West Ham - 9/5
To place a bet, click here.
Kick-Off
West Ham kick-off the second half
Half Time
Clattenburg blows for half-time, and it's West Ham who lead 2-1 at the break.
Lallana put Liverpool ahead in the fifth minute, but goals from Payet and Antonio have turned the game on its head.
Matip hits the bar
Liverpool see appeals for a penalty waved away by Mark Clattenburg, before Matip hits the woodwork with a header from a corner.
Liverpool seek an immediate response, but Firmino's header from Gini Wijnaldum's cross goes narrowly wide.
Goal
2-1 to West Ham
The visitors take the lead as Michail Antonio latches onto a long ball and diverts the ball past Karius.
A superb move down the left involving Lallana and Milner ends with Firmino shooting wide from the edge of the area.
A good response from Liverpool after Payet's leveller, and Joel Matip glances James Milner's inswinging corner wide.
Goal
West Ham equalise
It's 1-1 as Payet's low free-kick from 25 yards evades Loris Karius and finds the bottom corner.
A crucial interception from Aaron Cresswell prevents Mane from finding Lallana again. The Liverpool midfielder would have been clean through on goal.
Corner
A bit of a lull in the pace of the game after Liverpool's fast start.
Another West Ham corner, delivered by Dimitri Payet, leads to nothing.
Corner
More Liverpool pressure...
Leads to Roberto Firmino having a shot deflected over the bar. Jordan Henderson's corner comes to nothing, but the Reds have started this game brilliantly.
Photo
Anfield looking magnificent this afternoon...
A couple of corners for West Ham since the opening goal, but Liverpool still in charge here.
Goal
1-0 to Liverpool!
The Reds have dominated the early exchanges and take an early lead through a smart left-footed finish by Adam Lallana, who controlled Sadio Mane's cross and drove low past Darren Randolph.
What a start!
Kick-Off
We're underway at Anfield
Liverpool, attacking the Kop, kick-off with Divock Origi.
You can follow the game as it unfolds today using our Opta Chalkboard below...
Free live commentary
Remember, if you can't watch today's game you can listen to it live direct from Anfield - and for free.
Take a peek inside the Reds' dressing room ahead of kick-off...
As has our little magician...
The Reds have arrived at Anfield...
The team news is in from Anfield
Jürgen Klopp has made two changes to his starting line-up from last weekend's defeat at Bournemouth, with Joel Matip and Adam Lallana coming in for Lucas Leiva and Emre Can.
Can is ruled out due to a knee injury that is not considered to be serious.
Liverpool team in full: Karius, Clyne, Matip, Lovren, Milner, Henderson, Wijnaldum, Lallana, Mane, Firmino, Origi.
Substitutes: Mignolet, Klavan, Lucas, Moreno, Alexander-Arnold, Ejaria, Woodburn
A genuine Liverpool legend will be watching today's game inside Anfield - Sami Hyypia is here.
He'll be speaking to LFCTV ahead of kick-off, and you'll also be able to read what he says on the website tomorrow morning.
"It's officially the start of the Festive season," declared Liverpoolfc.com's Sam Williams upon arrival in the Anfield press room. "Because I watched 'Home Alone' last night..."
He is right, though. Today's game is the first of six in just 22 days for Liverpool as the Christmas programme begins.
After today, we face Middlesbrough (a), Everton (a), Stoke (h), Manchester City (h) and Sunderland (a).
A crucial period in the season, you feel.
Weather
Meteorological conditions update alert #2
Liverpoolfc.com can exclusively reveal that it is pleasingly - some would say unexpectedly - mild at Anfield this afternoon.
It's looking like the mercury will be at around nine degrees by the time kick-off rolls around, so while it's nowhere near as cold as it was for the Sunderland and Leeds United games recently, we'd still recommend you bring a thick coat with you.
He's a fan favourite already - and here's why Joel Matip was voted as your Standard Chartered Player of the Month for November...
Put a bet on it
Here's how the pre-match odds look, courtesy of our official partner BETVICTOR.
Liverpool: 3/10
Draw: 5/1
West Ham: 10/1
Fancy a flutter? Click here to place a bet with BETVICTOR.
Coming to see us at Anfield today? Here's all you need to know about getting here.
Did you know?
Fernando Torres is the only Liverpool player to have ever scored an Anfield hat-trick against West Ham in the league, doing so in a 4-0 win over the Hammers back in March 2008.
No time to dwell..
The manner of Liverpool's 4-3 defeat at Bournemouth last time out was naturally a cause for frustration and disappointment - but the Reds won't be dwelling on it today, insists Jordan Henderson.
"We know there are plenty of points up for grabs and we can’t afford to dwell on what’s gone before. That would have been the same if we’d have won at Bournemouth by the way – the focus would have immediately been on what we have to do to get a result today.”
The reason behind Barcelona trip...
So, as you'll know, Liverpool's first-team players and staff spent a couple of days in Barcelona earlier this week.
And Jürgen Klopp has used his notes in today's official matchday programme to explain why they did so.
"What we did was take the players away so they could have some time in a different environment. They enjoyed an evening together, but the rest of the time was training and being a ‘team’ away from Melwood. Of course Melwood is our headquarters of football but a change of environment and scenery is also a good thing."
Weather
Meteorological conditions update alert
Here you go, then; it's what you've been waiting for. The Liverpoolfc.com matchday blog weather update.
Well, it's a pleasant morning in the city with some moderate wind knocking about. Temperatures are at around eight degrees currently and that's unlikely to change too much throughout the day, with just a small per cent chance of rain.
In short: Take a warm coat to Anfield today.
Stats entertainment...
Liverpool are averaging almost three goals per game at home this season in league and cup, having scored 23 times in eight fixtures. Last season, their 23rd home goal came against Exeter in the FA Cup - Anfield's 18th game of the season.
The Reds are three goals short of recording 50 in total for the season.
Read official club statto Ged Rea's pre-match brief in full by clicking here.
Cover star
James Milner graces the front cover of today's official matchday programme. Pick up your copy at the ground today, or buy or subscribe online here.
Tweet us!
Are you going to Anfield today? Or are you watching with fellow Reds supporters in a local bar? Perhaps you'll be taking in the game at home with friends and family?
Wherever in the world you'll be keeping tabs on our game today, send us your photos by Tweeting them with the hashtag #LFCMatchdayBlog and we'll post some of our favourites in here.
The fit-again Joel Matip spared some of his time to speak to Liverpoolfc.com at Melwood on Friday afternoon as he was presented with the trophy for being voted as the Standard Chartered Player of the Month for November by supporters.
He also offered his thoughts on today's game with West Ham - and the tough challenge he's likely to face against their powerful forward line.
He said: "It’s a challenge as a defender. It doesn’t have to always be like this but I don’t have any problems with this kind of player. It’s always a special challenge and of course I’m looking forward to it."
Read the thoughts of our No.32 on facing the Hammers in full by clicking here.
So then, what do we know?
Well, firstly, we'd like to wish two former Reds Happy Birthday as Stig-Inge Bjornebye and Steve Nicol celebrate today.
Elsewhere on this day, Liverpool recorded a thumping 4-0 win over Marseille in France to seal a place in the next round of the Champions League back in 2007. Goals from Steven Gerrard, Fernando Torres, Dirk Kuyt and Ryan Babel did the damage.
Nine years ago that was - where does the time go!?
Hello, good morning and welcome - it's matchday once again!
West Ham United are our opponents today as they visit Anfield for the 4.30pm kick-off.
We'll be here throughout the day to bring you everything you need to know before, during and after the clash with the Hammers, so make sure you don't go anywhere, unless you've got a ticket for the game. Then go there, of course.
Right, let me grab a coffee and I'll be back with you in a mo.