First of all I just want to say that my thoughts are with QPR’s defender Rio Ferdinand who tragically lost his wife this morning to cancer. Whether your opinions on Rio vary, no one could ever wish this on anyone, so my condolences to him.
At Anfield this afternoon, a plane flew over the stadium with the banner “Rodgers Out, Rafa In” referring to the rumors that Brendan Rodgers could leave the club in the summer, with Rafa Benitez returning to possibly replace him. But Liverpool looked to dispel the rumors by picking up 3 points against QPR, who themselves needed 3 points.
With Rickie Lambert starting, Liverpool looked a very different proposition, as the big man added a different option for the Reds. QPR showed why they were in the bottom 3, as the team showed no urgency, or passion, and very rare threat as Liverpool dominated the game. Liverpool were looking dangerous, when finally they managed to hit the back of the net. A good run from Raheem Sterling just outside the 18 yard box allowed him to play the ball to Rickie Lambert, who in tern managed to play a lovely ball to Phillipe Coutinho who spiraled the ball into the far corner. The goal was really the story of the first half. Liverpool outplaying QPR, with QPR seemingly submitting to any challenge and letting Liverpool play.
As the first half drew to a close, it was clear that without Rob Green in goal, this would have been a cricket score. This continued into the second half as Liverpool piled on more pressure, with Rob Green pulling of fantastic saves. The trend of the first half continued, with Liverpool creating more chances, playing some lovely football, but unfortunately for them, they wasted the chances. Adam Lallana missed a great chance to put the Reds 2 goals to the good, whilst Raheem Sterling missed a chance that would make Harry Redknapp that his wife could finish it. He was a few yards out and blazed the ball over the bar. Would this come to bite Liverpool back? Surprisingly enough, yes it would.
Depsite Liverpool being the better team for the majority of the game, Leroy Fer managed to bury an effort through Simon Mignolet, meaning The Hoops leveled up and possibly gaining a valuable point. But before they could go back down south, Liverpool gained a questionable penalty. So up stepped Steven Gerrard, who in his 2nd to last game at Anfield looked to put his side ahead. But that man Green saved again, and the look on Gerrard’s face told the entire story of the game. Frustrated, dejected and struggling for inspiration.
Nedum Onuoha was subsequently booked for the penalty, and was eventually sent off after a confrontation with Dejan Lovern. Liverpool looked out of ideas, and out of luck, and looked set to draw, until that captain Steven Gerrard atoned for his penalty miss by nodding home to put Liverpool ahead once again. The ovation he got when he was subbed was emotional for anyone involved with Liverpool. The cameras panned over to him on the bench and the emotion was all over his face.
And when the final whistle went, the post match would be absorbed by Steven Gerrard, and the relegation fight that QPR now find themselves in. QPR now rely on other sides to keep them up, and with tough fixtures ahead, they looked doomed.
