Hello and welcome to Sports Mole's live coverage of the Premier League clash between Liverpool and West Ham United!

Today's match at Anfield sees two sides on opposite ends of the table desperate to claim all three points - the Reds want to keep up the pressure on Chelsea, who seem intent on establishing a Usain Bolt-style lead in the title race, while the Hammers need to get themselves out of the drop zone.

Without further ado, let me bring you the team news...

LIVERPOOL STARTING XI: Karius, Clyne, Lovren, Matip, Milner, Henderson, Wijnaldum, Lallana, Mane, Origi, Firmino

WEST HAM STARTING XI: Randolph, Reid, Cresswell, Nordtveit, Lanzini, Obiang, Noble, Ayew, Ogbonna, Payet, Antonio

LIVERPOOL SUBS: Mignolet, Moreno, Klavan, Lucas, Alexander-Arnold, Ejaria, Woodburn

WEST HAM SUBS: Adrian, Carroll, Fletcher, Fernandes, Quina, Browne, Pike

Jurgen Klopp has made two changes to his starting XI from the side that fell to that shock 4-3 defeat at Bournemouth. Adam Lallana replaces Emre Can, who is not in the squad because of a knee injury which, according to the club's feed, is not serious, while Lucas Leiva drops to the bench as Joel Matip returns from an ankle injury to take the Brazilian's place.

The Reds will be buoyed by the news that Sadio Mane is also fit to start today after limping off in the second half of the defeat at Bournemouth last weekend.

Now onto West Ham and there are several interesting updates. Slaven Bilic makes four changes as Aaron Cresswell, Havard Nordtveit, Andre Ayew and Michail Antonio return to the starting XI in place of Arthur Masuaku, James Collins, Edimilson Fernandes and Ashley Fletcher.

The game comes too soon for Cheikhou Kouyate, who is still recovering from a groin strain, while James Collins, Reece Oxford and Diafra Sakho are also unavailable because of various injuries.

As a result, the Hammers have drafted in a number of academy players, who take their places on the subs' bench. They are 19-year-old full-back Alex Pike, 17-year-old winger Domingos Quina, and 18-year-old midfielder Marcus Browne.

Based on results over the last couple of games between the two, it can be argued that West Ham are a bit of a bogey team for Liverpool. In the last six games, the Hammers have four wins, a draw and just one defeat against the Reds, including a double over them in the Premier League last season that saw Bilic's side score five goals and concede none.

Things are very different this season, however. Liverpool were nowhere near title quality last season as Brendan Rodgers was replaced with Klopp, while West Ham were dark horses for a Champions League spot before ultimately settling for a Europa League place - at the expense of the Reds, who finished a place below them.

Now, Liverpool are considered one of the standout sides of the division - last week's Bournemouth defeat notwithstanding - while West Ham find themselves battling relegation as a number of issues plague the club, from new signings who have offered little to the whole drama of the London Stadium move. As a result, many are predicting the result to go Liverpool's way.

Today is the 134th time that Liverpool and West Ham have met in competitive action. The first game, in the FA Cup, took place on January 5, 1901, and the result was a 1-0 win for the Reds.

The record is as follows - 28 West Ham wins, 35 draws, and 70 Liverpool wins. One side clearly dominant in the head-to-head record over the years, and if the bookies and pundits were to be believed, it looks like it'll be 71 for the Reds come the final whistle.

But we all know that football doesn't work like that, does it? Bournemouth were certainly not expected to beat Liverpool last week, and then we have yesterday's game at the King Power between Leicester City and Manchester City. Funny old game, football, and certainly not one played on paper.

The players are warming up on a floodlit Anfield pitch under a dusky sky - would you say it's claret and blue?

🌆#LIVWHU pic.twitter.com/b3YM7mOpOn — Liverpool FC (@LFC) 11 December 2016

With just over 15 minutes to go until kickoff, let's rattle off some more stats, before I get the chance to make a prediction on the final score.

Liverpool's defeat against Bournemouth last weekend ended their 11-match unbeaten run in the Premier League, but the Reds have yet to lose successive league matches under Jurgen Klopp.

West Ham, meanwhile, are winless in their last five league games, losing three and drawing two, and have conceded 29 goals in their opening 14 matches this season, their worst tally at this stage of a top-flight campaign since 1988-89.

Liverpool have scored 13 league goals from set pieces this season, the most in the division prior to this weekend's matches, while the Hammers have scored an unrivalled 23 headed goals in the league since Bilic became manager at the beginning of last season.

The previous three Premier League games to involve Liverpool on a Sunday this season have produced seven goals each, while West Ham have made a league-high six individual errors leading to opposition goals in the current campaign.

PREDICTION: Now then, with just under 10 minutes to go until kickoff, it's time for me to take all the info at my disposal and have a crack at predicting the final score. Liverpool are a high-scoring side with a brittle defence in need to get back to winning ways after last week's horror show at the Vitality Stadium, while West Ham are struggling all over, their form is poor, their confidence is low, and they have named three inexperienced academy players on the bench.

Oh, and also Liverpool are playing at home, where they have won five, drawn one, and lost none in the league this season. Can only see this going one way, and it's a comprehensive Reds win. I reckon 3-0 or 4-1.

Both sets of players come out of the tunnel and onto the Anfield pitch - kickoff not far away now!

KICKOFF! Liverpool's Divock Origi gets the game started and we are underway. The Reds are in their, ahem, red home kit, while the Hammers are in white.

The hosts are quick out of the starting blocks and they have the Hammers pinned down. A long ball into the visitors' box is punched by Randolph, rather than caught, but the defence scrambles clear.

Oh dear. The away fans have their heads in their hands as they anticipate yet another long afternoon - just five minutes played and Liverpool are already ahead.

Mane went on a winding run before playing a low cross to Lallana across the face of goal, and the former Southampton man moved across Reid and Cresswell to latch onto the ball and half-volley into the far corner. Too easy for the Reds.

CHANCE! West Ham set about trying to strike back quickly and come close as a long ball over the top sets Antonio free - he takes a touch, gets the better of Lovren and tries to beat Karius at his near post, but the goalkeeper turns the ball behind for a corner, which is cleared.

Henderson tries to release Mane down the left flank with a lofted ball over the top, but it has just too much pace for the winger to reach as it trickles out for a goal kick.

The game has settled now following a frantic start but another chance comes Liverpool's way as Mane sets up Firmino with a 40-yard square ball - the Brazilian gets into space, drops a shoulder and lets rip, but his shot is deflected behind for a corner, which Reid clears.

Lanzini finds Cresswell on the left wing with a sprayed pass but the latter completely makes a hash of it with a poor first touch that sees the ball bounce out for a Liverpool throw-in.

West Ham play a few neat passes on the edge of the opposition box before the ball comes to Noble on the right-hand side flank - he then tries to play a lofted ball into the box but there's too much power on it and it goes harmlessly over the bar.

Lovren tries to clip the ball over the top and past Reid to Origi, but the striker can't quite bring the ball down.

More of a spring in the Hammers' step as Payet makes his way down the right and plays in Antonio, who attempts a cross and forces a corner - Payet swings the ball in but it's poor and headed clear at the near post by Milner.

A West Ham attack is stopped for offside as Antonio attempts to play Ayew in, and Liverpool counter with Milner almost finding Wijnaldum, but Noble is able to get a foot in.

Obiang is fouled 25 yards from goal by Lallana, with Payet stepping up to take the free kick.

And West Ham are level! A trademark Payet curler undoes Liverpool, but Karius's goalkeeping will be under scrutiny - the ball soared over the wall and into the bottom corner, with the Reds stopper getting across and getting a hand to it, but to no avail. Game on!

Liverpool respond swiftly as Henderson bursts into the inside right channel and attempts to fire home, but Cresswell gets back just in time to make a covering tackle.

Karius looks rattled after his clean sheet was breached and his nerves are showing - a long ball over the top almost releases Antonio in behind Lovren and the German comes off his line, but can only send his attempted pass to his teammate out of play for a throw-in.

Ayew wins a corner down the right flank, which Payet takes, but despite the ball nearly falling for Reid, Lovren outjumps the New Zealander and manages to clear.

Liverpool win a corner and Milner's inswinger from the left is flicked on by the head of Matip at the near post, but nobody can get on the end of it at the far post.

Lallana's reverse pass from the left finds Wijnaldum, whose shot is charged down by Ogbonna - Mane then collects the ball and has a go, but his effort bobbles wide from the edge of the box.

What a turnaround here at Anfield as West Ham take the lead - and Liverpool's defensive credentials are once again under question. Nortdveit plays a long ball over the top and Matip misjudges the bounce, allowing Antonio to latch on, charge towards goal, and lift the ball over Karius and into the net.

CHANCE! Liverpool - and their boss, and their fans - can't believe they're behind, but once again they nearly score straight from kickoff as Wijnaldum swings a ball towards the back post and Firmino leaps above Nordtveit, but the Brazilian nods wide.

Cresswell gives the ball away to Mane, who nearly finds Origi with a clever pass, but following a scramble in the box, West Ham clear as two minutes of added time are announced.

PENALTY SHOUT! Controversy late in first-half stoppage time as Payet appears to bring down Lallana in the box, but referee Mark Clattenburg waves for a corner for the home side.

OFF THE BAR! Matip leaps up to head Henderson's corner from the right towards the net and plants the ball against the crossbar before Clattenburg brings back play for a foul.

What did I say earlier about football being unpredictable? Sure, I did predict a heavy Liverpool win, but I wouldn't have been the only one, and when the Reds took the lead early on, it looked like it was going to be a long afternoon for the Hammers - instead, the visitors are ahead at the break!

The Reds have never lost consecutive league games under Klopp but they could do if it stays the same here - and like last weekend, they've thrown away a lead.

Liverpool's defensive frailties have been exposed again, with Loris Karius somewhat at fault for Dimitri Payet's free kick, while Michail Antonio made the most of Joel Matip's error of judgement when it came to a route one ball. Adam Lallana's early goal means that this game is by no means beyond them, but Klopp will need to sort things out at the back if they are to get anything out of today.

1 - Liverpool are behind at the break having led for the first time at Anfield in the PL since November 2009 (v Birmingham). Shock. pic.twitter.com/VD0aGvFUoi — OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) 11 December 2016

Stat-wise, Liverpool have 65 percent possession to West Ham's 35 percent and nine shots to the visitors' five, but the Hammers have been more clinical, with three shots on target for Bilic's side to one for Klopp's charges. In terms of completed passes, Liverpool are well ahead with 240 to their opponents' 105. So the Reds are more than capable of turning this around, but given how frail their defence is, it could really go any which way. Would defeat for Liverpool today mean the end of their title hopes?

KICKOFF: West Ham get things underway against Liverpool, who are now defending the Kop End. One substitution has been made, with Ragnar Klavan on for Dejan Lovren.

Liverpool are back level and, for the third time in this match, a goal has come about because of an error - Mane lashes a cross into the box from the left which Randolph attemps to catch, but he fatally spills the ball at the feet of Origi, who rattles it in off the post from six yards out.

CHANCE! Liverpool are not messing about, are they? They nearly edge back into the lead as Wijnaldum finds space on the edge of the box and, on the turn, fires a ferocious effort towards the bottom corner which whistles just wide of the post.

A loose ball finds its way to Origi, whose vicious first-time shot from inside the box is well blocked by Reid.

BOOKING: Firmino gives the ball away to Noble, who attempts to embark on a sprint, but the Brazilian chases after him and hacks him down to snuff out the move and earn himself a yellow card.

CHANCE! Payet sends the resulting free kick into the box and Ayew attempts to connect, but gets it all wrong and sends his header well wide.

Karius lumps the ball upfield and Origi wins the header before nearly flicking it into the path of Firmino, but Randolph comes out and just about manages to clear up.

Klavan snuffs out a West Ham foray and a counterattack is launched as Lallana drives down the right and has Clyne on the overlap, but Cresswell manages to scramble the ball away for a corner which is cleared.

CHANCE! End to end stuff as Ayew has a shot blocked before the ball is played back up the pitch and Wijnaldum is sent clean through on goal after cutting in from the left, but he shoots wide.

SUBSTITUTION: Former Liverpool forward Andy Carroll comes on for West Ham, replacing Andre Ayew.

Henderson finds space about 25 yards out and tries to find Origi, but his cross is mis-hit and goes behind for a goal kick.

CHANCE! Firmino cuts the ball back into the middle for Wijnaldum, who swivels into space but just gets crowded out before he can shoot.

CHANCE! Randolph makes amends for his earlier error as he leaps to his left and pulls off a great one-handed save from Henderson's 25-yard curler.

Mane cuts in from the right flank and easily beats Obiang before making some space for himself, but his left-footed strike is charged down by Reid.

Reid gives away a free kick for handball just outside the area down the right - Henderson whips the ball towards the back post but the New Zealander rises highest to nod clear.

BOOKING: Mane is shown a yellow for throwing his hands into Cresswell's face.

SUBSTITUTION: A West Ham change as Edimilson Fernandes replaces Manuel Lanzini.

Wijnaldum collects Mane's low cross as he heads into the box but takes one touch too many and Reid is able to clear the danger with a well-placed tackle.

Ogbonna does well in front of his own goal to clear the ball away from Clyne's cross, with Wijnaldum lurking just a few yards from goal.

CHANCE! Mane and Lallana combine to tee up Clyne on the edge of the box, but the defender fluffs his lines and skews his shot over the bar.

Milner's long-range shot hits Nortdveit and goes behind for a corner, with the former Manchester City man curling the ball in himself, but the Hammers are steadfast at the back and clear once again.

West Ham drive up the pitch and Carroll looks to latch onto the end of a deep cross, but Karius flies from his line to punch clear.

Milner gets the ball on the left flank and whips a cross into the Hammers box with Origi lurking, but it sails over the Belgian's head and into Randolph's arms.

Three minutes of added time at the end of this game.

The full-time whistle blows at Anfield and Liverpool find themselves further behind in the Premier League title race after being pegged back from behind to claim a 2-2 draw against West Ham United, who thoroughly deserve a point.

Adam Lallana opened the scoring after just five minutes played but two errors at the back saw Dimitri Payet and Michail Antonio give the Hammers a 2-1 lead at the break, only for Darren Randolph's spill allowing Divock Origi to rifle home just after the restart. 2-2 is how it ends, the Reds are six points behind leaders Chelsea and West Ham edge out of the bottom three.

That's all we have time for at Anfield but stay with Sports Mole as we bring you match reports, reaction and all the latest news from this and all the other big games of the weekend! Thank you for following and, until next time, goodbye!