QPR vs. Liverpool: Winners and Losers from Premier League Game
A marvellous spectacle at Loftus Road on Sunday ended 3-2 to Liverpool, allowing the away side to take a precious three points back to Merseyside.
Bobby Zamora and co. dominated the first half but failed to find a goal, and the Reds struck first through a Richard Dunne own goal. Eduardo Vargas netted either side of a Philippe Coutinho strike to make it 2-2 in the dying minutes.
The home side pressed late on, but came apart on the counter-attack, as Steven Caulker's own goal sealed a disappointing home loss for Harry Redknapp's men.
Here are our winners and losers from the game.
Winner: Bobby Zamora, Who's Still Got It
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Bobby Zamora doesn't play much nowadays, but with Eduardo Vargas hampered by jet lag and Harry Redknapp wanting to play two strikers, the former Fulham man got the call.
Nobody had high expectations of Zamora, given his age and lack of playing time, but he dominated the game from the word go and bullied Liverpool's defensive line.
Much of Queens Park Rangers' early success can be attributed to his size and power, and the home side found plenty of joy playing directly into his big body.
He allowed the wing-backs and central midfielders to gather around him and pin Liverpool deep in their own half.
Loser: Mario Balotelli, Who Still Can't Hit a Barn Door
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Mario Balotelli was presented with the perfect chance to break his Premier League duck with Liverpool on Sunday, but he fluffed his lines. Again.
His fifth Premier League start for the Reds since joining in August ended in yet another blank, with his highlight miss being a rebound from 10 yards that he inexplicably fired into space with half the goal gaping.
For the Reds' opener—an own goal by Richard Dunne—he actually had his back turned as the ball was fed into the box. Wake up Mario.
Winner: Neutrals, Fans and the Premier League 'Brand'
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You have to say, when people refer to the Premier League as the best or most exciting league in the world, it's these types of games they're referring to.
The action in the first half was engrossing, despite the lack of goals, and late on it felt as though the players were apologetically squeezing in the strikes to reward the fans.
The introduction of goal-line technology ensured there were absolutely no squabbles over Queens Park Rangers' second goal, meaning the post-match talk was all about the spectacle and not about the refereeing.
It was absolute madness, and we lapped up every single second of it.
Loser: Richard Dunne, Who Hit Double Digits for Premier League Own Goals
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Spare a thought for Richard Dunne. Steven Caulker's own goal was the clincher, making it 3-2 to Liverpool deep into stoppage time, but it's the Irishman who'll be feeling the most pensive. This marked his 10th own goal in the EPL.
Dunne's time in the Premier League, spanning more than 15 seasons, has seen him clock up own goals at Manchester City, Aston Villa and Queens Park Rangers.
Winner: Raheem Sterling, Who Was Magnificent Against His Former Club
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Queens Park Rangers lost Raheem Sterling to the clutches of Liverpool when the player was 15, and this is the first time the midfielder has taken on his former club while holding the mantle of a "top" player.
He was superb, it must be said, and many of the Reds' rapier-like counter-attacks started with him. He's developed an excellent ability to hold on to the ball, despite being kicked up and down the pitch, and his intricate work around the edge of the box didn't go unnoticed.
Pleasingly for Brendan Rodgers, the focus will be on how well he played, not whether he has fitness concerns.
Rodgers was quoted by Sky Sports as saying:
"Good players come alive when the ball goes dead, and he (Sterling) did that—spotted the play.
He was excellent. The build-up to the other goal, his speed, his touch, his movement was exceptional.
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