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

Steven Gerrard turned from villain to hero as his goal minutes after missing a penalty earned a 2-1 win for Liverpool over Queens Park Rangers.

Philippe Coutinho had given Liverpool a 19th-minute lead, but Leroy Fer equalised for the relegation-haunted Loftus Road side in the 73rd minute.

Gerrard, who will leave the club at the end of the current Premier League season, looked set to claim the three points for the Reds in the 79th minute after Nedum Onuoha hauled down Martin Skrtel. But QPR goalkeeper Rob Green saved well.

However, with three minutes remaining, Gerrard rose highest inside the QPR area to head home the winner for Liverpool and manager Brendan Rodgers, who had earlier seen a plane bearing the message "Rodgers Out Rafa In" fly over Anfield.

The victory kept alive Liverpool's slim hopes of Champions League football as they moved four points behind Manchester United.

But the late defeat leaves QPR staring relegation in the face after wins for Sunderland, Leicester City and Aston Villa around them.

Liverpool were without the injured Mario Balotelli for the game, meaning Rickie Lambert took on the role of a lone striker. Adam Lallana also came into the side for Jordon Ibe, while Gerrard replaced Joe Allen.

QPR made one change with Leroy Fer replacing Bobby Zamora, but their players' thoughts will have been with team-mate Rio Ferdinand after the death of his wife, Rebecca, on Friday night, as reported by The Guardian. 

The Loftus Road club and their hosts wore black armbands in tribute, while Liverpool captain Gerrard presented his QPR counterpart Joey Barton with flowers in sympathy beforehand.

Before the game, a plane flew over Anfield bearing the legend: "Rodgers Out Rafa In," in reference to former manager Rafael Benitez. The scheme was met with derision, however.

On a day when football lost its relevance in comparison to a personal tragedy among the opposition, it was a tasteless stunt and not in the famed spirit of genuine Liverpool supporters.

Once the game began, QPR had the ball in the net within the first minute, but Matt Phillips' corner had gone out of play before Fer headed home.

There was another scare for the Reds in the eighth minute when Steven Caulker volleyed just wide from a Phillips free-kick, before Simon Mignolet was forced into a good save from a long-range Fer effort.

Liverpool finally offered up a chance in the 13th minute when Gerrard dragged a 20-yard effort wide after being found by Jordan Henderson.

But there was no disguising the fact that QPR were the better side in the opening stages of the game as Liverpool failed to find any kind of passing rhythm.

Lambert saw his and Liverpool's first shot on target saved comfortably by Rob Green in the 16th minute.

However, QPR's form in the opening stages was shattered as Liverpool took the lead in the 19th minute.

Good play by Lambert on the counter-attack set up Coutinho on the right side of the area to clip the ball beautifully over Green.

Raheem Sterling had the ball in the net for Liverpool in the 33rd minute, but was adjudged to be offside as he collected Henderson's flick.

Liverpool had found their feet now, and Green did well to palm away a Gerrard free-kick as the Reds closed in on a second goal.

Things got a little heated as the game headed to the interval with Sandro earning a yellow card for a foul on Henderson.

QPR manager Chris Ramsey was forced into a change at the interval as Yun Suk-Young came on to replace Caulker.

Lallana was guilty of missing an early second-half chance when his wayward shot failed to complete a fine move from Coutinho.

Sterling, whose form has been inconsistent since his controversial BBC interview last month, squandered an opportunity in the 54th minute when he skewed a Henderson cross to the far post wide from just six yards out.

In the 73rd minute, though, QPR were level. An outswinging Barton corner found Fer, and the Netherlands international volleyed into the ground and the ball found its way past Mignolet.

Moments later, Liverpool missed a chance to reclaim the lead from the spot. Onuoha brought down Skrtel inside the area and was shown a yellow card. Gerrard stepped up but watched in disbelief as Green pushed his penalty away in the 79th minute.

Onuoha's game came to an early conclusion moments later, as he earned a second caution for a foul on Sterling with eight minutes remaining.

Five minutes later, Gerrard atoned for his penalty miss to give the Reds a 2-1 advantage courtesy of a header from a Sterling corner.

The Liverpool skipper was then given a rousing ovation as he left the field after hitting his 184th goal for the club to move ahead of Robbie Fowler in the club's leading scorer list.

Selected Player Ratings

Philippe Coutinho: A+

The Liverpool star has offered a sliver of light in a disappointing Liverpool season and provided another fine piece of skill to open the scoring.

Leroy Fer: A

The Netherlands international replaced Zamora in the QPR side and offered the team a new dynamic. A menace to Liverpool and Gerrard in the opening period of the game, and he deserved his equaliser in the second half.

Rickie Lambert: B+

A good display from the lone striker. Lambert provided the assist for Coutinho's opener and was always looking for an opportunity for Liverpool.

Post-Match Reaction