Another surprise loss for a Liverpool side that is struggling to cope without Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge. Is a title challenge beyond their expectations now?

On the other hand, West Ham fans will not be blamed for believing that a top 10 finish is well within their reach with the new signings on show all impressing.

Here are the player ratings.

West Ham

Adrian – 7

Should have seen red for a second yellow card for his challenge on Borini in the 65th minute after spilling the Italian’s shot. Otherwise solid.

Aaron Cresswell – 8

Unbeatable in one-on-ones, good positional awareness and a threat in the attacking third. Just what a fullback should be.

Guy Demel – 7

Wasn’t an attacking threat as much as Cresswell but kept Moreno in his pocket.

Winston Reid – 9

On the scoresheet after just 75 seconds….not bad after not scoring for a whole year! Defensively very dependable as he formed an impenetrable wall alongside Tomkins. The best soccer player ever to come from New Zealand? Probably.

James Tomkins – 9

Produced the assist for the first goal as he won the header at the far post from the early set-piece. Just as impressive at the back when defending corners and free-kicks.

Mark Noble – 8

The path through which most of West Ham’s attacks started completing over 40 passes. Covered well for Song and Kouyate whenever his team-mates made forward runs.

Cheikhou Kouyate – 7

Lively first half and looks a very good signing. Never stopped running.

Alex Song – 8

Impressive on the ball as he boasted a 87% passing accuracy when compared to his side’s 70.7%. A class act.

Stewart Downing – 7

A constant threat in the opening 15 minutes after which his game seemed to have finished! Nevertheless, he had done enough against his former side

Enner Valencia – 8

Mixed great technical ability with relentless running as he covered every blade of grass chasing after Moreno or Sterling on the wings.

Diafra Sakho – 9

His deft chip for West Ham’s second goals is surely an early contender for the goal of the season. Already looks a bargain signing.

Substitutions

Carl Jenkinson (61 minutes: on for Demel) – 6

Hardly passed the half-way line but kept his defensive discipline well in check.

Morgan Amalfitano (68 minutes: on for Song) – 8

Took his goal very well. Not afraid to put in the challenge when necessary. Fantastic home debut.

James Collins (75 minutes: on for Valencia) – 7

Helped shore things up at the back as Sam Allardyce changed to a back five.

Liverpool

Simon Mignolet – 5

Caught in no-man’s land for the Hammers’ opener and was left helpless by Sakho’s chip. The quality of his shot-stopping skills are for all to see but his ability at dealing with crosses are not deserving of a side fighting for the title.

Alberto Moreno – 5

Struggled in defence but his attacking threat increased as the game wore on. Still, you expect a fullbacl to have a better defensive positional sense. At times was totally unaware of the opponents surrounding him.

Javier Manquillo – 4

Brought off the pitch on 22 minutes as Rodgers tried to respond to going two goals down early on. Offered nothing going forward as Liverpool were pinned back early on and was repeatedly beaten by Cresswell, Valencia and Downing.

Martin Skrtel – 4

Was all over the place as West Ham rushed to an early lead. A ticking time-bomb. His lack of pace was evident in West Ham’s final goal.

Dejan Lovren – 4

Liverpool’s most expensive defender in history? Not on this performance.

Lucas Leiva – 5

Simply didn’t do enough in the first half as the Hammers dominated the central areas putting in 4 tackles and trying 16 passes. Looked uncomfortable on the side of the diamond.

Steven Gerrard – 6

The only one not afraid to get on the ball in the opening exchanges of the game. Opponents seem to have found the formula in nullifying his threat from deep.

Jordan Henderson – 6

Started on the wrong foot as he was completely beaten by Tomkins for the West Ham goal. A shadow of Henderson version 2013/2014.

Raheem Sterling – 7

Behind the striker, wingback, fullback…the young England international was asked to play in a number of roles in the first half but still managed to score the goal that brought Liverpool back into the game….a rasping drive from the edge of the penalty area. That was their only real threatening shot in the first half – compare that to West Ham’s 6 shots on target in the opening 45 minutes. Tried to take the West Ham defense on his own a few times too many.

Mario Balotelli – 7

His touch to bring the ball down for Sterling’s goal was a thing to behold reminiscent of Dimitar Berbatov. Looked to make things happen every time he was on the ball but his team-mates too often were on a different wavelength,

Fabio Borini – 6

Willing to run and run and run but not much more. His endeavor is to be praised however.

Substitutions

Sakho (22 minutes: on for Maquillo) – 6

Slightly better than the comedy around him. Slightly.

Adam Lallana (45 minutes: on for Lucas) – 7

Provided the technical ability so lacking in the first half but faded as the game wore off.

Rickie Lambert (75 minutes: on for Borini) – 5

Once more failed to make a mark as an impact sub.