West Ham shock Liverpool with early blitz

West Ham beat Liverpool 3-1 at the Boleyn Ground after they scored two in the first seven minutes.

West Ham shocked Liverpool with a blistering opening, when Winston Reid headed in from a corner after just two minutes. Five minutes later, Diafra Sakho scored the goal of the match with an inspired chip when a cross looked imminent.

Brendan Rodgers was forced into a tactical re-jig, swapping Javi Manquillo for Mamadou Sakho - who again failed to convince in defence - and moving to three at the back. Shortly after, Raheem Sterling pulled one back after Mario Balotelli had a shot blocked.

In the second half, Liverpool were unlucky not to get a penalty when Adrian slid into Fabio Borini, using his studs - apparently deliberately - and being excused by the referee. Liverpool continued to press without conviction, but Morgan Amalfitano sealed victory at the death.

Liverpool have now lost three league games, while for West Ham their new signings - and Enner Valencia and Sakho in particular - are already offering the excitement up front that Andy Carroll and Carlton Cole simply cannot.

2’ - REID SCORES - A free kick from the right is headed across the box to Reid by James Tomkins, who bundles the ball in.

7’ - SAKHO SCORES - Diafra Sakho gets in a position to cross, looks up and sees Simon Mignolet off his line, and chips a brilliant shot over him and into the net.

12’ - CRESWELL SHOT - Cresswell has the time and chuztpah to take a swing from 25 yards, and his dipping shot is well saved by Mignolet.

26’ - STERLING SCORES - Balotelli brings down a cross excellently, his shot is blocked, and it rolls out to Sterling who drills in a low shot into the corner.

62’ - BORINI MISS - The ball runs to Borini in the box after Adam Lallana stumbles under a challenge, he leans back and sends a shot over the bar.

64’ - PENALTY CLAIM - Borini has a shot from distance, it's deflected and Adrian beats it away. Borini attempts to follow up and Adrian is out to claim the ball quickly. He also catches him with his studs in the knee, and should really have conceded a penalty, and probably a second yellow.

70’ - BALOTELLI SHOT - Balotelli comes inside from the left, and powers a shot towards the near post for Adrian to beat away.

88’ - AMALFITANO SCORES - Amalfitano seals it. A fine through-ball from Downing down the left splits the defence, and Amalfitano toes a shot into the far corner.

This was the second quickest that Liverpool fell 2-0 behind in the Premier League (Infostrada).

Liverpool have now lost three games in the Premier League already, to West Ham, Manchester City and Aston Villa.

Liverpool lost despite having 62% possession.

Liverpool still cannot defend. With all the demands of Champions League and increased expectation, things will be made even harder for Liverpool if Rodgers cannot improve his side’s defence. They were just as disorganised as ever, with Dejan Lovren so far unable to organise those around him. Rodgers is entitled to the benefit of the doubt after his achievements of last year, and his new defensive signings for this season will need time to gel - but it is vital in Europe and for any new title challenge that he finds improvements soon.

Enner Valencia (West Ham United): Victory was largely due to an impressive team performance, with no player letting down the side. Valencia provided a constant threat in attack and had the pace and creativity to stretch play and bring others into the match around him. Alex Song also deserves credit for his performance in midfield.

West Ham: Adrian 6, Reid 7, Cresswell 6, Tomkins 6, Kouyate 7, Downing 6, Sakho 7, Noble 7, Demel 6, Song 7, Valencia 7. Subs: Jenkinson 6, Collins 6, Amalfitano 7.

Liverpool: Mignolet 6, Manquillo 6, Moreno 6, Lovren 5, Skrtel 5, Gerrard 4, Henderson 5, Lucas 5, Sterling 7, Borini 6, Balotelli 6. Subs: Sakho 5, Lallana 6, Lambert 6.