Liverpool have suffered their second consecutive defeat in the Premier League after losing 3-1 against West Ham United at Upton Park this evening.

West Ham United's New Zealand defender Winston Reid celebrates scoring the opening goal as Liverpool's English midfielder Steven Gerrard (L) look son during the English Premier League football match between West Ham United and Liverpool at The Boleyn Grou © Getty Images

It took the hosts just over a minute to make the breakthrough, as Stewart Downing's free kick was headed across goal by James Tomkins and nodded in from close range by Winston Reid.

West Ham doubled their lead in the seventh minute when Diafra Sakho's cross from the right missed everyone in the middle and looped in at the back post.

The Hammers were in complete control and Simon Mignolet had to be at full stretch to tip Aaron Cresswell's swerving effort wide of the post.

Mario Balotelli of Liverpool and Adrian of West Ham clash following a heavy tackle by Balotelli on Adrian during the Barclays Premier League match between West Ham United and Liverpool at Boleyn Ground on September 20, 2014 © Getty Images

In the 26th minute, Liverpool pulled a goal back through Raheem Sterling, who fired in after Mario Balotelli's blocked shot had fallen kindly to him on the edge of the box.

Enner Valencia was the next to threaten for hosts soon after, but saw his low free kick beaten away by Mignolet.

Diafra Sakho #15 of West Ham is congratulated by teammates after scoring his team's second goal during the Barclays Premier League match between West Ham United and Liverpool at Boleyn Ground on September 20, 2014 © Getty Images

After the break, Fabio Borini saw a low drive saved by Adrian, before he came even closer with a curling strike that went narrowly wide of the top corner.

Liverpool continued to press for an equaliser and Balotelli worked himself some space before firing in a powerful strike that was beaten away by the keeper.

With two minutes of the match left to play, West Ham scored their third as substitute Morgan Amalfitano was slipped in behind by Downing to poke an effort into the far corner to secure the points.