Liverpool Pass West Ham Test Without Suarez

Liverpool finally win back to back premier league games under Brendan Rodgers after beating West Ham 3-2 in an exciting contest. Without their talismanic forward Luis Suarez, reds have priceless 3 points in the bag that takes them to 10^th place but more importantly only 4 points behind the champions league place.
The Merseysiders dominated the opening proceedings of the match giving Hammers no rest for the first 20 odd minutes. Glen Johnson was terrorizing opponent’s defense in that period and eventually got his reward in the eleventh minute with a goal of the very highest order.
Johnson could have immediately provided an assist as well by setting up Sterling who ruined that glorious opportunity dragging his shot wide from just 12 yards. Having gone ahead, Liverpool lost concentration, West Ham came up with attack after attack to unsettle reds defense, and their persistence paid off in the 36^th minute as Diame’s volley hit Allen’s hand and referee pointed to the spot. Noble converted penalty with a calm finish in the bottom corner.
Hammers continued piling pressure on the Liverpool defense and soon lead through a clinical finish by Steven Gerrard at the wrong end as he headed the ball into his own net from a dangerous cross. The game dried up in the opening period of second half as no team had any serious chances until the last quarter. Diame, West Ham’s best player by mile had to leave the field with hamstring injury and that proved to be the turning point.
Also the addition of Henderson gave Liverpool the boost they needed to make a comeback. Minutes later Sterling delivered a wonder ball to Joe Cole who made no mistake and finished with a low left foot drive in the corner. Former West Ham captain opted not to celebrate scoring against his boyhood club.
The equalizing goal gave Liverpool immense lift and suddenly they were on top of Hammers. Three minutes after Cole’s goal, Reds eventually got the winner much to the delight of travelling fans. Johnson and Henderson combined well on the right wing and latter provided a brilliant cross that deflected awkwardly off Collins and Jaaskelainen was helpless as ball looped over him only to fall inside the net.
This gave Liverpool’s second away win of the league campaign; the first one came against Norwich where Luis Suarez netted a hattrick. The star striker will be back from suspension next week. Liverpool will now play their next two fixtures at Anfield against Aston Villa and Fulham. Maximum points from them and the reds will be serious contenders for the Top 4 spot.