West Ham

2.73

• 
  14

  2

  3.00

  Jussi Jaaskelainen

  Could do absolutely nothing about Johnson's opener as it flew into the top corner. Made a good stop from Sterling's effort in the second half. Couldn't do much about Cole's arrowing equalizer, and was unfortunate to see the third loop over his head. Was out quickly to clear from Sterling.

• 
  7

  4

  3.00

  Winston Reid

  As with Collins, didn't have much in the way of natural defending to do, keeping tabs on whoever the lone striker was with the visitors switching up. Was strong against Shelvey, and showed good instincts on when to pass and when to clear. Couldn't get across quick enough to block Cole's goal though.

• 
  0

  11

  2.00

  Joey O'Brien

  Struggled heavily against Johnson in the first half, but after his switch to the right he seemed more comfortable, getting forward occasionally. Lost Cole for the second though.

• 
  2

  10

  2.00

  James Collins Flop of the Match

  Made some good clearances but wasn't too busy with the lack of a real striker from the visitors. Desperately unlucky to see his touch loop over Jaaskelainen and in. Beaten easily by Sterling's trickery but saw his keeper rescue him.

• 
  3

  7

  2.50

  Guy Demel

  A pretty quiet game for the right back. Dealt pretty well with threats down his flank, but most of Liverpool's attacks down the right in the first half, before he was subbed at the break. Just got a touch on the ball to prevent Shelvey adding a fourth.

• 
  3

  7

  2.50

  Kevin Nolan

  Always a threat when going forward, and closed down well to put Reina under pressure, among others. Didn't have his usual influence though.

• 
  14

  2

  3.50

  Matthew Jarvis

  Gave Johnson plenty to worry about in the opening stages, seeing a lot of the ball and putting in some dangerous crosses, including one in the build-up to the first, as well as the assist for the second.

• 
  1

  8

  2.50

  Matthew Taylor

  Wasn't too involved in the first half, with most of the attacking play for both sides coming down the opposite flank. Was a pretty good outlet but couldn't make the most of his efforts at goal, though they were half chances at best.

• 
  10

  3

  3.00

  Mark Noble

  Stayed very calm to roll the penalty into the bottom corner, and played some nice passing as West Ham dominated towards the end of the first half.

• 
  16

  1

  3.00

  Mohamed Diame

  Continued his fine run of form. Was near-unstoppable when breaking, and saw his volley blocked by Allen's arm for the penalty. Saw his influence wane slightly before leaving the pitch with a hamstring injury.

• 
  13

  5

  3.50

  Carlton Cole

  Gave the defenders a tough time in the air, nodding a header on target that was saved comfortably by Reina, and played some very good hold-up play, bringing his teammates into the match well.

Substitutions

• 
  3

  5

  2.50

  George McCartney

  Came on for the second half and had a decent game, with Johnson not getting forward as often as the first half.

• 
  2

  7

  2.50

  James Tomkins

  Came on for the injured Diame, but isn't a central midfielder. Looked a touch awkward when getting into advanced positions, but was in his element when playing deeper.

• 
  2

  9

  Modibo Maiga

  Came on and almost got ahead of Reina to nod in. Had a chance with a free kick but ballooned it over.

Liverpool

2.85

• 
  33

  7

  2.50

  José Reina Paez

  Claimed a corner well early on before starting a decent-looking counter. Took in a comfortable catch from Cole's effort. Looked slightly dodgy as he came out for a punch, but it didn't come to anything. Got close to the penalty, but couldn't stop it, and was taken by surprise as Gerrard headed past him.

• 
  59

  2

  3.50

  Glen Johnson

  Nominally a right back, but was perhaps the visitors' most threatening player in attack. Found the top corner with an unstoppable shot. Set up Sterling for what was almost a second just minutes later. Struggled against Jarvis when the winger was in possession, though, and allowed him far too much room for crossing, especially for the second goal.

• 
  29

  6

  2.00

  José Enrique

  A quiet appearance for the left back. Lost track of the ball once but didn't see anything come of it. Left the field before the halfhour mark with an injury.

• 
  42

  5

  2.00

  Daniel Agger

  Struggled to cope with Cole in the air, but made a great block to stop the striker from scoring just before the half-hour mark. Couldn't beat the striker in a foot race, surprisingly.

• 
  41

  4

  2.50

  Martin Skrtel

  Took a knock or two in battling Carlton Cole and Kevin Nolan. Didn't look comfortable, but kept up the fight and made some good clearances in difficult situations.

• 
  33

  15

  2.00

  Steven Gerrard

  Brought down a rampaging Diame for a clear booking, and got turned around before nodding a bullet header into his own net to cap a pretty poor first half. Much improved in the second, and played the ball nicely.

• 
  31

  14

  3.00

  Stewart Downing

  Lost the ball a couple of times when in attack, but actually dealt very well with the switch to left back, making a few good clearances at the far post. Looked to injure his elbow early in the second blocking a shot from Taylor, but recovered. Sent in a teasing cross that Shelvey headed wide.

• 
  39

  2

  3.00

  Lucas Leiva

  A calming influence after making his return, and kept the ball moving with Allen. Was subbed with 20 minutes to go though as Rodgers looked for more attacking play.

• 
  34

  6

  3.00

  Joe Allen

  Was perhaps unlucky to see a penalty given against him for a close-range volley, and was a case of ball to hand rather than a deliberate attempt, but he did stop the ball with his arm. Showed a side of his game not often seen this season when breaking in the second half.

• 
  64

  10

  3.50

  Raheem Sterling Top of the Match

  Was close to doubling the visitors' lead after 15 minutes, but couldn't whip his effort inside the post. Had another decent effort tipped over by Jaaskelainen before playing in Joe Cole really well for the equalizer. Almost got through for a fourth, but Jasskelainen was out quickly.

• 
  60

  4

  3.50

  Jonjo Shelvey

  Didn't get many opportunities in the unfamiliar striker's role. Saw a header fly wide with 20 minutes to play. Good link up with Sterling to set up Cole, and put Collins under the necessary pressure to force an own goal.

Substitutions

• 
  42

  0

  Sebastián Coates

  Came on to help against an expected aerial bombardment for the last five minutes.

• 
  58

  2

  3.50

  Joe Cole

  Came on against his former club earlier than he would have expected. Tried a couple of flicks straight away that almost put his team in trouble. Looked rusty, understandably. A very clever moment though when he dummied a pass for Sterling to shoot. Made a good run and struck the equalizer expertly into the bottom corner.

• 
  57

  0

  3.00

  Jordan Henderson

  Brought on to provide more attacking impetus than Lucas, and made a good run before putting in the all-important cross for the winner.