The Reds thought they had taken the lead when Laura Coombs' strike appeared to cross the line after bouncing down off the underside of the crossbar.

The officials did not give it, but after the break the hosts eventually went ahead when Courtney Sweetman-Kirk tucked in from Coombs' low cross.

It saw eighth-placed Liverpool go level on points with seventh-placed West Ham.

The decisive moment came when Coombs got in behind the Hammers' defence and crossed well for Sweetman-Kirk to net her seventh WSL goal of the season, and her first on home turf.

West Ham were denied an equaliser by two excellent saves from Reds goalkeeper Anke Preuss, the first from Leanne Kiernan's effort and the second from Alisha Lehmann's curler.

Those saves ensured Sweetman-Kirk's third goal in four matches was enough for Liverpool's second straight win, and their second home league victory of the campaign.