QPR vs. Liverpool: Date, Time, Live Stream, TV Info and Preview
Liverpool look to put their difficult start to the season behind them as they travel to the capital to take on Harry Redknapp's QPR on Sunday.
The Anfield club have struggled with life after Luis Suarez and only sit 12th in the Premier League form guide after losing three of their last six matches.
However, QPR sit rock-bottom of the guide, having registered no wins in their last four games.
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Here is how you can catch the game, with time and stream information:
When: Sunday, Oct. 19, at 1.30 p.m. BST/ 8.30 a.m. ET
Where: Loftus Road, London.
TV Info: Live on Sky Sports 1 & HD (UK only), NBC Sports (US only)
Live Stream: Sky Go (UK only) NBC Sports Live Extra (US only)
Daniel Sturridge Return to Trigger Liverpool Form
There is no coincidence that Liverpool's recent form has collapsed on the back of Suarez's departure from Anfield, but one player they have certainly missed is Daniel Sturridge.
The England striker was vital in the team's impressive run in the Premier League last season, and his absence through injury this term has been sorely felt.
Brendan Rodgers has tried to balance his attack by adding the mercurial Mario Balotelli to his squad, but, as many know, the Italian is equally as frustrating as he can be brilliant and explosive.
The experiment with the former Manchester City player is yet to bear fruit.
But Sturridge is now scheduled to return to action for his club against QPR, who appear to be heading for the Premier League exit if they cannot improve their quality and results.
Joe Bernstein of the Mail Online recently outlined Sturridge's influence for Liverpool, proving how important he has become for Rodgers:
"The facts are these. Before Sturridge's injury, Liverpool had won two of their three matches and scored six goals. A win ratio of 66 per cent and goal average of two per game.
Since his lay-off, Liverpool have won two of seven games and scored only eight goals despite signing Mario Balotelli from AC Milan for £16 million. A win percentage of 28.57 per cent and goal average of 1.14 per game.
No wonder Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers is so looking forward to his England striker's return.
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Sturridge could well be the trigger which sees Liverpool's fortunes change, but a result against a poor QPR team will not be the yardstick by which to measure themselves.
Sturridge will need time to build his fitness back up, but if he is rushed we could yet see another collapse, as happened too often last year.
The England man's regular injuries will be a huge concern for Rodgers, especially when his defence find it so hard to achieve regular clean sheets. Last year, Liverpool outscored most of their opponents, but with no Suarez and Sturridge, that simply will not happen consistently this season.
But Sturridge's return is well timed, and he could form a deadly partnership with Balotelli, if the two players can find some common chemistry.
Match Preview
Life has certainly been hard for Harry Redknapp and his team recently, despite adding a number of signings in the summer. Rio Ferdinand's arrival may well have turned a few heads, but it has not stopped the West London team hemorrhaging goals on a weekly basis.
Redknapp himself is looking to have lost some of his effervescence and it will be interesting to see if QPR stick with the manager.
But Ferdinand has backed his boss, saying he needs time to make things work, per Simon Johnson of the London Evening Standard:
"We are not even in double figures for the amount of games played yet. To push the panic button now would be crazy in my eyes. Harry still comes across to me as a fighter and a man with a lot of fight left in him. He wants to get the club out of this situation we’re in. It’s not for the lack of trying.
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Ferdinand will have to do his manager a huge favour and deal with the magic of Raheem Sterling, who will be looking to prove a point after his controversial omission for England.
But the balance at QPR does not seem correct at present, and they will surely struggle against a Liverpool team motivated to perform.
However, shocks are a specialty of the Premier League, and Redknapp will be looking for one of his more famous recent victories.
Time will tell if the coach has the stomach for another relegation battle, but a win against the Reds will give his team the shot in the arm they desperately crave and need.
