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.
