How the Reds rated at Loftus Road.
Liverpool had to take the lead three times before finally beating QPR 3-2 in their Premier League clash at Loftus Road, with two own goals eventually gifting the Reds all three points.
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Here’s how their players rated in West London.
22. Simon Mignolet – 5
Made some sharp saves throughout the match, denying both Charlie Austin and Sandro, but was twice beaten to crosses by Leroy Fer and looked very vulnerable at times.
2. Glen Johnson – 5
Forced Richard Dunne into an own goal with a swiftly taken free-kick, but defensively the right-back looked poor and Fer continuously beat him.
37. Martin Skrtel – 5
Looked a little off the pace as Austin out-muscled the Slovakia defender on several occasions and was also booked late on for a foul on the striker.
6. Dejan Lovren – 5
Could not cope with Bobby Zamora who held the ball up well, but the centre-back did look comfortable in possession and was assured at times.
3. Jose Enrique – 5
Didn’t get forward well enough and was caused problems by Zamora, Mauricio Isla and Matt Phillips and perhaps Alberto Moreno would be a better option at left-back.
14. Jordan Henderson – 6
Got forward well and looked sharp as he burst from his holding role, but although he linked up well with Adam Lallana and Raheem Sterling the end product was lacking at times.
8. Steven Gerrard – 6
It was an unusual start in the No.10 role for the captain and he saw a first half shot just drift wide, although the midfielder was wasteful in possession.
23. Emre Can (Allen, 66′) – 5
Was caught out too often in the middle and the physicality of Karl Henry and Sandro meant the 20-year-old gave the ball away on too many occasions.
31. Raheem Sterling – 7
Bustled around the box and looked dangerous whenever he broke forward, forcing Steven Caulker into an own goal in the dying minutes.
20. Adam Lallana (Coutinho, 66′) – 5
Out on the left flank there was not enough spark from the England international despite having one decent shot saved well by Alex McCarthy.
45. Mario Balotelli – 1
A truly shocking display from the striker who looked lazy and disinterested and failed to score his first league goal despite the net gaping when he blazed the ball over the bar from six yards out.
Substitutions:
24. Joe Allen – 6
Replaced Can and looked a lot more assured in the middle and spread the play well.
10. Philippe Coutinho – 8
Lifted the team as soon as he came on with skills and tricks and also bagged the Merseysiders’ second with a sharp effort.
Manager: Brendan Rodgers – 6
Perhaps should have left Balotelli and Enrique out of the starting XI, but bringing on Allen and Coutinho was a shrewd move by the Northern Irishman and it probably earned him the win.