QPR vs. Liverpool: Score, Grades and Reaction from Premier League Game

QPR 2-3 Liverpool

Liverpool needed two own goals to claim an undeserved three points at Queens Park Rangers.

The Reds had looked totally out of sorts in an opening period dominated by the home side, but a 67th-minute own goal from Richard Dunne gave them the lead.

Three minutes before the end of normal time, QPR substitute Eduardo Vargas earned a deserved leveller for the west London club.

But what followed was an extraordinary period of injury-time in which Philippe Coutinho saw his goal cancelled out by Vargas.

And when the match seemed settled at 2-2, a Liverpool counter-attack ended with QPR defender Steven Caulker sliding the ball into his own net in an incredible finish to the game.

The big question of the day was answered an hour before the game when Liverpool's starting XI was announced with Sterling included against the club he started his career at.

Midfielder Emre Can made his full debut after returning to action for the first time since Aug. 31 following injury, while Balotelli was restored to the starting line-up after being benched for the win over West Brom two weeks ago.

QPR goalkeeper Rob Green was missing from their team, while Rio Ferdinand dropped to the bench with Bobby Zamora, on his first start since March, taking the captaincy from the injured Joey Barton.

The home side enjoyed the better of the early exchanges, but their possession was not matched by any significant threat on Simon Mignolet. However, the opening signs were promising for QPR.

The lack of threat was underlined in the ninth minute when Charlie Austin saw the ball drop for him after Liverpool failed to clear the danger, but the QPR forward was closed down by Mignolet and the opportunity was lost.

QPR were fortunate to see Jordan Henderson given offside when through on goal in the 21st minute, with television replays proving the midfielder's run was legitimate. 

The Premier League's bottom club were still looking the better side, but there were signs that the Reds were finding their feet in the game.

QPR wasted a counter-attack chance with South Korea international Yun Suk-young's rushed shot from distance failing to hurt Liverpool.

In the 28th minute, though, there was an even-worse miss for QPR. Zamora broke clear down the right flank and his cut-back evaded the Liverpool defence, with Leroy Fer chasing into the area. The Netherlands international looked set to score, but instead clipped the crossbar.

In the 34th minute, there another unbelievable escape for Liverpool when Fer struck the bar with a header from a Zamora cross. With the ball still in play, the Reds' backline only just scrambled it clear with the help of a suspicious Glen Johnson challenge on two QPR players.

"

“@FootyAccums: Glen Johnson... http://t.co/EJkqb0CBgm” this confirms my point!! #Penalty #TwoRedCards haha

— Jody Morris (@morriskid) October 19, 2014"

There was a solitary moment of excitement for Liverpool fans in the closing stages of the first period when Steven Gerrard flashed a shot just wide.

Sterling then produced a good run which eventually set up a chance for Balotelli, but his seemingly half-hearted attempt from the edge of the area slipped wide of Alex McCarthy's goal.

But neither attempt could disguise what had been a woeful display by the Anfield side in the opening 45 minutes.

The Liverpool defence looked no stronger in the early stages of the second period, and Sandro forced a great diving save from Mignolet after another failed clearance.

However, a swift counter-attack at the other end saw Henderson send an effort over the crossbar in a warning sign to Harry Redknapp's team.

A good ball over the top of Liverpool allowed Austin to find space at an acute angle, but his effort slipped just wide.

QPR were dealt a blow in the 59th minute when the impressive Sandro was forced out of the game with a thigh problem, and Redknapp threw on Armand Traore as his replacement.

A great run by Sterling opened up QPR and a deflection placed the ball in the path of Adam Lallana. His shot was parried by McCarthy and dropped for Balotelli, who fired over with the goal gaping.

Rodgers made two changes with Joe Allen and Philippe Coutinho entering the field for Lallana and Can.

Then, in the 67th minute, Liverpool were ahead as QPR self destructed. Sterling took a quick free-kick to release Johnson into the right-side channel and his cross was turned beyond McCarthy by Dunne.

It was an undeserved way to go behind for the home side, but QPR paid the price for switching off at the free-kick.

Austin went close to an equaliser for QPR in the 75th minute, but Mignolet was able to turn his drive around the post.

Zamora left the field to a rousing ovation from the home fans moments later as he was replaced by Vargas.

Another poor Liverpool clearance almost set up Traore with six minutes remaining, but his header from close range did not have enough strength to beat Mignolet.

In the 87th minute, though, QPR claimed a deserved equaliser. A poor clearance by Jose Enrique was picked up by Vargas and Austin controlled his cross to the far side of the area brilliantly before playing the ball back to where the QPR substitute could head home.

In the final minute of the game, Liverpool looked to have stolen the points they barely deserved when a counter-attack set up another sub, Coutinho, to slot home after cutting inside the QPR area.

But the match was not finished, and a corner from the right saw Vargas rise to flick home a header through a crowded Liverpool area to make it 2-2.

There was even time for Balotelli to just miss out on a winner seconds later, but Caulker's own goal after a great Liverpool counter-attack spearheaded by Coutinho and Sterling sealed the points.

Selected player ratings

Raheem Sterling: A

A quiet opening period for the Liverpool winger until a late run in the closing stages. But the England international livened up in the second half and his quick thinking secured Liverpool's opener before his role in the winner.

Mario Balotelli: B

Did precious little in the opening period, with a late half-hearted attempt at goal, which drifted wide, summing up his afternoon. His second-half open-goal miss was even worse.

Bobby Zamora: A

A tremendous performance by the stand-in QPR captain on his first start since March. Proved to be a handful throughout for the Liverpool defence. Deserved his ovation as he left the field in the second period.

What's ahead

Liverpool will now focus their attention on the visit of Real Madrid in the Champions League on Wednesday. 

QPR will be back in Premier League action when Aston Villa are the visitors to Loftus Road on Oct. 27.

Post-match reaction