QPR 2:3 Liverpool

Super Sunday is back again and this early afternoon game saw QPR take on Liverpool. From the statistics we were presuming that this would be a one way game and the result predictable. Fortunately we were left watching a very entertaining game. 

The opening 10 minutes were completely dominated by QPR and they were unlucky not to take the lead through Austin. He powered his way through Johnson and Skrtel but couldn't get his shot away in time. 

QPR were intent on and succeeding in stopping Liverpool having any possession, but also stopping the fast, high pressured approach that they have been adopting under Rodgers. You may be forgiven for questioning QPR's position in the league as they were playing with intent and confidence. Can they get that goal that is so precious for them?

The crossbar was rattled and QPR again, should have taken the lead. Another quick passing exchange led the ball being played square across the box only for Fer to strike the ball against the bar. It seems that Fer was playing the crossbar challenge as again, the ball hits the bar. This time it falls in front of goal, a goal mouth scrabble and Liverpool were able to clear away. 

Liverpool must have been wanting half time to arrive a lot quick then QPR did, but they nearly snatched a cheeky goal against the run of play. Gerrard had found himself in the box, and placing a shot just wide of the goal. And another quick break from the reds resulted a poor effort from Balotelli receiving some stern words from his team mates who had joined him on the attack. 

Brendan Rodgers had identified that QPR were causing lots of issues through the centre with balls directed to Zamora, and he moved Gerrard back into a more defensive role to try and snuff out future danger. This did have an effect on the way the QPR played, but it also enabled Liverpool to build on their poor first half. It nearly paid off but that man Balotelli missed a glorious chance when a saved shot fell kindly to him only for him to blaze the ball high over the top. 

The first goal of the game is one that is never going to be remembered as the goal of the season. Sterling won a free kick close to the corner flag, and as the players for QPR protested, he and Johnson took a quick free kick where Johnson played the ball across the goal for Dunn to deflect into his own goal. Very harsh, and some say undeserved, but they all count. 

The equaliser came late late on. And from another set piece. A floated ball from the half way line into the Liverpool box was not fully cleared and as the ball was played back into the box, it was headed back across goal for Vargas to pounce and score a goal that QPR have deserved all game. 

A great ending to the game and a great counter attack from Liverpool gave them their lead back. A quick turn and break from Sterling resulted in Coutinho to bury to ball into the bottom corner. However, that wasn't the end of the entertainment as straight from kick off QPR got a corner and super sub Vargos ghosted across Henderson to head in. What a great 10 minutes of football. 

We did see a winner, and another own goal. From a QPR free kick Liverpool again showed how dangerous they are on the counter attack. Sterling again showing his pace (must have had a good rest over the international break) to get onto a through ball, and as he passed the ball across the goal, Caulker couldn't sort his feet out and unfortunately deflected into his goal. 

QPR were unlucky not to get anything from the game as they did play very well, and the admittance from Gerrard proved that. Credit Liverpool for not giving up and they showed that you must always press up to the last whistle and you may get something in return. 

4+5=9

From one bad boy to another. 

The news that Liverpool had signed Balotelli would have come as a surprise not only for the Liverpool fans themselves, but for the whole of the premier league. 

With the expected and obvious departure of Suarez, Liverpool had plenty of transfer funds available for a replacement. And they haven't been shy in the market so far with the signings of Lambert, Lallana, Lovren, Manquillo, Can, Markovic and Origi they cannot say they haven't been active. But there was always this need, this desire to sign a world class striker. There was rumours of Falcao or Cavani filling the big name slot missing in the changing room but that's all it was, rumours. 

But on Thursdays 21st August news broke that Liverpool had lodged a £16m bid for Balotelli. Really? Him? He is a top player, prolific, direct and can deliver but unfortunately comes with 'baggage'. Was this the 'name' they have been looking for?

The Premier League was introduced to Balotelli when he signed for Manchester City in 2010 and to say the least, was a colourful career. He arrived from Inter Milan (after being seen wearing an AC Milan shirt) for a fee of £24m. He was involved in numerous altercations both on and off the pitch, training grounds bust ups and the emergency services. As a neutral he was fun to watch but a nightmare at the same time. 

Now with his arrival confirmed he will continue to wear the number 45 shirt which he has always worn, and his talent will shine through. But there is that doubt that he is a ticking bomb and it won't be long before he will be in the headlines again, for the wrong reasons. 

£16m for this talent may be a bit of good business but with it comes a level of uncertainty. 

Liverpool V Southampton

The opening game at Anfield as Liverpool host Southampton. Or as some are saying Southampton vs Southampton as Liverpool have acquired some of the Saints' best players last season in Lallana, Lovren and Lambert. 

It was a summer that the Southampton fans want to get over as quickly as possible as when their previous manager Pochettino left, it seemed to have rocked their ship as it opened the doors to a player exodus with a number a first team players leaving shortly afterwards. So this season they are wanting results to come in quickly to give their fans reassurance that all is still well at the club. 

Liverpool on the other hand are hoping to build from their successful, yet trophy-less season with their place back in the champions league secure and new additions to their squad. Is this year 'their year'? A saying that is starting to sound like a never ending echo. They have though lost their player of the season  in Suarez, who had finally got his wish in a move to Barcelona. With this they are wanting to prove that they are not a one man team. 

The game wasn't what we all had expected. We were all presuming that this would be a walk in the park for Liverpool but their performance was a little limp. It had started with promise in the opening 30 minutes which was rewarded with an opening goal. From their though it became stale. Plus it wasn't helped by a quick evolving Southampton side who were growing in confidence with every minute played. It was clear to see that if Liverpool could not find another goal then the second half could possibly end up with another surprising result. 

There was an uncertainty about how Liverpool approached the second half and as they entered the final third there was a lack of ideas. Surely they were not reliant on one man? That's not what they want us, or their fans to believe. But their lack of 'a target man', that someone pull something out the bag was missing. Southampton though were contributing to this frustration. They pressed, turned more attack minded and became the more dominant team of the two. A confident build up led to their equaliser and very nearly the lead shortly afterwards. 

Liverpool finished the game as winners, less than convincing it had to be said. But it is these result that all teams want, need. Play bad, still win. Southampton will feel hard done by. They put in a confident shift, but that glorious chance for Davies would have given this game a completely different outcome. Time will tell, for both teams. Southampton looking to cement their premier league status, Liverpool back in Champions League, can they still be a title contender?