Liverpool's unbeaten run came to an abrupt end with a 3-1 defeat at West Ham United on Sunday afternoon.

Goals from Scott Parker and Demba Ba had the Hammers looking comfortable before a late strike from Glen Johnson gave the Reds hope.

It wasn't to be, however, with substitute Carlton Cole finishing off the scoring with just minutes remaining.

Injuries to Raul Meireles and Martin Kelly completed a miserable afternoon in east London.

Click the image below to watch the action from Upton Park

Liverpool's chances of making it nine games without defeat had been buoyed by the return of club captain Steven Gerrard from a groin injury.

Key to that sequence of results had been the Reds' ability to keep opposition attackers at bay, with Pepe Reina tallying five shut-outs in six games. Kenny Dalglish opted to field three centre-backs in a bid to maintain that miserliness, including 19-year-old Danny Wilson, who found his name on a Barclays Premier League teamsheet for the first time.

Another notable inclusion was the man who now wears No.7 at Anfield, Suarez. The Uruguayan set about making an instant impact on two minutes with an audacious lob into the box which was just too heavy for the onrushing Gerrard.

West Ham countered with a stinging drive from Thomas Hitzlsperger which Reina managed to contain before Gerrard plonked a fabulous ball onto the head of Raul Meireles, who succeeded in nodding it over Hammers custodian Robert Green only to see his effort drop wide of the post.

The bright start continued with an angled whack from Meireles on 12 minutes which proved comfortable for Green, while Johnson attacked a corner before seeing his header cleared as it flew towards the net.

Liverpool, then, had looked the more likely but it was the hosts who took the lead in style on 22 minutes when Parker masterminded a one-two with Hitzlsperger before arrowing past Reina.

The Reds sought to level immediately when Suarez broke into West Ham territory before laying to Dirk Kuyt. The Dutchman cut inside and lashed a 25-yard shot into the side netting.

Avram Grant's charges were not resting on their laurels, however, and could have got a second when Frederic Piquionne flashed a ball across the face of goal that was inches away from the slide of Demba Ba.

Liverpool's next opportunity came from an unlikely source: Martin Kelly cutting in from the right before driving into the grateful arms of Green. Minutes later the defender stormed down his flank once again before collapsing to the turf clutching his left hamstring.

It was immediately obvious a substitution would be required, and Dalglish chose to make it an attacking one: Joe Cole coming on to face his old club. He would operate on the left in what would now be a 4-4-2.

The new shape had barely had chance to set when West Ham doubled their advantage, Gary O'Neil crossing for an unmarked Demba Ba to head home seconds before the half-time whistle.

Dalglish acted again four minutes into the second period, introducing David Ngog for the limping Meireles.

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But it was West Ham who nearly scored next when Demba Ba capitalised on a loose ball from Jamie Carragher before blasting what would have been an unstoppable shot centimetres wide.

Both Hitzlsperger and Lars Jacobsen ventured efforts from 25 yards which flew just over as Liverpool tried and failed to get a foothold in the game.

Suarez had been manhandled out of the contest by Matthew Upson up until the hour mark when finally he got the better of his marker with a scrumptious turn and shot which Green did very well to thwart.

It might have been the spur Liverpool needed but wasn't. Instead West Ham probed once more so that Piquionne was given a free header from six yards which he somehow directed off target.

Much of the visitors' best work was being done by the returning Gerrard, who strode past several defenders midway through the half only to power over the crossbar from distance.

Cole had an opportunity when Suarez crossed with time running out but the ball proved too difficult to control.

Finally on 84 minutes Liverpool found the net after Suarez twisted away from several defenders before whacking the ball across goal for the surging Johnson to sidefoot home from just a few yards.

But it proved too little, too late - and the scoring was eventually completed when Carlton Cole shrugged off Martin Skrtel before sending the home fans into jubilation with a blast beyond Reina.

Click the image below to watch Johnson's goal

MotM - West Ham vs Liverpool

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Who was our Man Of The Match vs West Ham

Voting has now closed

1	Luis Suarez		45% of Votes
2	Glen Johnson		18% of Votes
3	Steven Gerrard		15% of Votes
4	Martin Kelly		5% of Votes
5	Joe Cole		3% of Votes
6	Danny Wilson		3% of Votes
7	Lucas Leiva		2% of Votes
8	Dirk Kuyt		2% of Votes
9	Jamie Carragher		2% of Votes
10	Pepe Reina		2% of Votes
11	Raul Meireles		1% of Votes
12	David Ngog		1% of Votes
13	Martin Skrtel		1% of Votes

Total Votes: 4847