Raheem Sterling fired low past Hammers goalkeeper Adrian to put the hosts in front shortly after the break, before Sturridge’s powerful finish doubled the lead 10 minutes into his return from the bench.
Philippe Coutinho was earlier denied by Adrian while Lazar Markovic fired a golden opportunity wide, moments after the hosts felt they should have had a penalty for a foul on Sterling by Joey O’Brien.
But it would not matter in the end as the two England internationals netted in the second half, and Brendan Rodgers’ men move above the Hammers into seventh in the Premier League.
The hosts had the first real chance, though, as the lively Sterling cut in from the flank and laid off for Adam Lallana. The midfielder was quickly closed down but it fell for Markovic, who had one shot blocked before firing wide.
It was an open affair right from the off, with Andy Carroll causing plenty of problems in the air. The striker caught Emre Can with a flailing arm early on and that seemed to rattle the Liverpool man for the rest of the half.
Sterling and Coutinho were the main threats for the hosts, and they nearly set up an opening goal when they played a superb one-two as the former backheeled it beyond the defence, but the Brazilian’s tame effort was easily saved at the near post by Adrian.
The hosts then felt they should have had a penalty right on half time as Sterling spun round O’Brien only to go down under the defender’s challenge. Nothing was given, but Liverpool almost took the lead immediately as Markovic cut out Stewart Downing’s loose pass, only to fire wide of the target with the goal at his mercy.
culled from skysport
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