LIVERPOOL climbed into the top half of the Premier League table for the first time this season after producing a gutsy late fightback to clinch a 3-2 victory over West Ham at Upton Park.

The Reds led early on courtesy of Glen Johnson's stunning strike but they were rocked before at half-time as first Mark Noble equalised from the penalty spot and then Steven Gerrard nodded into his own net.

With Luis Suarez serving a one-match ban, Brendan Rodgers' side were short of firepower and they struggling to find a way back into the contest.

However, with 14 minutes to go substitute Joe Cole fired home to make it 2-2 before James Colllins' own goal handed the Reds maximum points.

It's the first time this season Liverpool have clinched back to back league wins and they are up to 10th in the table.

Gerrard, Lucas Leiva and Daniel Agger returned to the Liverpool side after being left out of the squad which had travelled to Italy for the Europa League game against Udinese in midweek.

There were also starts for Raheem Sterling and Jonjo Shelvey as Jamie Carragher, Suso, Jordan Henderson, Nuri Sahin and Suarez were replaced.

The Hammers went into the game on a high after a 3-1 home win over Chelsea a week earlier. Sam Allardyce made two changes with Mohamed Diame and Matt Taylor called up in place of James Tomkins and Gary O'Neil.

There was an early scare for the Reds after they failed to deal with Matt Jarvis' cross and Diame's effort struck Carlton Cole and bounced narrowly wide.

However, the Reds soon settled and they took the lead in breathtaking fashion in the 11th minute. Johnson burst down the right, cut inside past Jarvis and unleashed an unstoppable 20-yarder into the top corner.

It was the third successive occasion that the in-form full-back had netted against his former club.

Buoyed by the breakthrough, the Reds grew in confidence and should have swiftly added to their tally.

Collins' hurried clearance was pounced on by Sterling but he failed to hit the target.

Johnson continued to shine and once again he burst past Jarvis and into the penalty area. The right-back unselfishly teed up Sterling but the teenager blazed wide from 12 yards.

Liverpool were forced into a change before the half hour mark as Jose Enrique was forced off due to a hamstring injury. Joe Cole came on with Downing moving to left-back

West Ham began to establish a foothold in the contest and it took a vital tackle from Agger to prevent Cole from turning home Jarvis' cross.

Matt Taylor tested Pepe Reina with a long range free-kick and the hosts equalised in controversial circumstances nine minutes before the break.

Joe Allen was stood barely a yard away when Guy Demel's blistering volley struck him on the hand but referee Lee Probert pointed to the spot. Noble stepped up to slot the spot-kick into the bottom corner.

Taylor was then lucky to escape with only a yellow card after a poor studs up challenge on Sterling.

Having dominated for so long, Liverpool got sloppy with passes going astray and they fell behind in the 43rd minute.

Noble's quickly taken free-kick found Jarvis out on the left and his curling cross was headed into his own net by Gerrard, who had been knocked off balance after colliding with Agger.

The Reds had a glorious chance to restore parity on the stroke of half-time. Downing's cross deflected into the path of Shelvey but he shovelled his shot wide.

In the second half the Hammers defended in numbers and Liverpool struggled to carve out opportunities.

Too often Rodgers' side were bullied into coughing up possession cheaply. Eventually, Agger ventured forward to fire over from 25 yards before it took a fine finger-tip save from Jussi Jaaskelainen to deny Sterling.

Shelvey nodded Downing's cross wide and Rodgers opted for some fresh legs as Henderson replaced Lucas.

It did the trick as with 14 minutes to go the Reds were level. A slick move saw Sterling and Shelvey exchange passes before Sterling played a brilliant pass into Cole's path.

The former West Ham man took a touch to steady himself and arrowed a sweet strike into the far corner. It was his first Premier League goal since April 2011.

Three minutes later Liverpool were in front. Henderson got away down the right and delivered an inviting cross towards the near post.

Shelvey darted to get in front of James Collins at the near post and the ball struck the defender's boot and looped up over the stranded Jaaskelainen as the Reds bagged their first away league win since September.