Gerrard returns for Reds against Hammers

Steven Gerrard returned to lead Liverpool out at West Ham today after missing their last three matches with a groin injury.

The Reds’ talismanic captain was one of four changes for the visitors, with Luis Suarez, Jamie Carragher and Glen Johnson also drafted in, while Danny Wilson made his Barclays Premier League debut and Joe Cole dropped to the bench.

Hammers skipper Matthew Upson shook off an Achilles problem to start, while there were also recalls for Frederic Piquionne and Gary O’Neil, with Carlton Cole only a substitute.

West Ham: Green, Jacobsen, Tomkins, Upson, Bridge, O’Neil, Parker, Noble, Hitzlsperger, Ba, Piquionne.

Subs: Boffin, Reid, Cole, Boa Morte, Spector, da Costa, Hines.

Liverpool: Reina, Kelly, Carragher, Skrtel, Wilson, Lucas, Meireles, Johnson, Gerrard, Kuyt, Suarez.

Subs: Gulacsi, Cole, Kyrgiakos, Maxi, Ngog, Spearing, Poulsen.

Referee: Mark Halsey (Lancashire)