Liverpool FC 1-0 QPR: Grading Kenny Dalglish's Players

Liverpool had enough shots to win five games. 

Of their 25 shots, 10 were blocked by Queens Park Rangers. 

Kenny Dalglish's players had a valid penalty claimed waved down by referee Lee Mason and saw Shaun Wright-Phillips' attempted clearance ricochet off his own bar. 

Yet, what was the barrier to a potentially a 3-0, 4-0 or even a 5-0 win was Radek Černý.

Who?

Yes, QPR's third-string goalkeeper.

Anyway, here are the grades for the Liverpool players in their 1-0 win over QPR.

Goalkeeper: Pepe Reina

Grade: B

Against Fulham, Pepe Reina fumbled Danny Murphy's innocuous shot into Clint Dempsey's path, thus effectively losing the game for Liverpool. 

Today, the Spaniard was more reassured between the posts.

Then again, it helps when QPR don't shoot. 

Right-Back: Glen Johnson

Grade: C+

Where was Glen Johnson when Armand Traoré was in aches of space to send in a cross in the 55th minute?

Why didn't Johnson close down Traoré who sent in another good cross in stoppage time?

Right back is a defensive position and he needs to tighten up. 

Johnson is solid from an attacking perspective.

In the 61st minute, he glided down right flank, cut in, wrong-footed Armand Traoré (surprise surprise), and then blazed it wide.

If he had scored, it would have been a near identical goal to the one he scored at Stamford Bridge. 

Centre-Back: Martin Škrtel

Grade: A

QPR had its best spell from around the 50th to the 55th minute and it ended with Armand Traoré, free by himself, sending in a good cross—but Martin Škrtel was there to head it away. 

The Slovakian was solid today.

He won five of six challenges, and those challenges blunted QPR's attacking charge, allowed Liverpool to counter and importantly deflated QPR. 

Centre-Back: Daniel Agger

Grade: B

Daniel Agger's decision to take down Jay Bothroyd in the 22nd minute was a rush of blood. 

He didn't need to do so. 

Agger hardly put in a challenge today because he didn't need to. 

His passing today was ever so elegant, specifically in the 44th minute, where he delivered a pinpoint cross-field ball to José Enrique. 

Left-Back: José Enrique

Grade: B+

José Enrique was industrious down the left from an attacking perspective and defensively was superb nullifying Jamie Mackie. 

Look at Mackie's passing patterns; they resemble that of a a defensive midfielder. 

Right Winger: Maxi Rodríguez

Grade: B+

Three minutes into the game and Maxi Rodríguez already had two shots—alas both were blocked, but it illustrates what he can offer from an attacking perspective. 

His South American partnership with Luis Suárez could amount to something, as evident in the 15th minute when both players played 1-2s to cut through the QPR defence. 

When he receives the ball, something meaningful will happen, which is surprising because I remember watching his dire performances week in, week out and thinking another Rafael Benítez bust.  

He could have scored another hat trick if not for Radek Černý, the third-string goalkeeper, playing the game of his life.

Maxi deserves an extended run in the team after this performance.  

Centre Midfielder: Jordan Henderson

Grade: B-

Jordan Henderson didn't wow me today.

Dependable in distributing the ball like Lucas. Check. 

Dependable in distributing the ball like Steven Gerrard. No. 

Of Henderson's 16 misplaced passes, 15 of them were attempted long-range passes. 

When he's given the chance to play in his preferred position, he needs to take advantage of it. 

Centre Midfielder: Charlie Adam

Grade: C+

I still remain unconvinced about Charlie Adam because he turns the ball over way too much for a centre midfielder. 

24 times he gave away possession.

I remember a Liverpool fan telling me Adam's set pieces were alone worth £7 million.

Maybe for Blackpool, but today he shanked his set pieces—all eight of them. 

For example, in the 18th minute, his horribly taken free kick luckily deflected out for a corner, and then he delivered an even worse set piece. 

Though in the second half, Liverpool also saw the good in Adam, as he provided the definitive cross which saw Liverpool go 1-0 up.

I don't understand why when he's clearly beaten, he still goes in for a stupid challenge, and should have been booked when he clipped Anton Ferdinand (ironically if he dived instead of trying to stay up, he may not have pulled his hamstring). 

The positives about Adam was he won six aerial challenges. 

Oh and it's his birthday so happy birthday Charlie. 

Left Winger: Stewart Downing

Grade: B+

Stewart Downing had an excellent first half. 

Ninth minute, he delivered in an incisive cross, which would have given him an assist.

17th minute, he embarrasses Armand Traoré, who then hauls him down (what a stupid foul). 

41st minute, he delivers an immaculate through ball to Luis Suárez.

45th minute, he puts in a great cross which somehow misses everyone, then 30 seconds later he forces Radek Černý into a good save. 

Though let's be realistic here.

Downing was up against Armand Traoré, who clearly is not a Premier-League-standard defender.

The problem is Downing once again not providing an assist or scoring a goal and him going missing in the second half. 

Nonetheless the B+ is warranted for his great performance in the first half. 

Centre Forward: Dirk Kuyt

Grade: B-

It just wasn't Dirk Kuyt's day. 

He had three shots blocked; at least Maxi Rodríguez can live with getting off three shots, but Kuyt didn't do enough.

He was instrumental in the build-up play; for periods of the game, his one touch passing allowed Liverpool to flow. 

However, he played as a forward today, and he needs to score. 

On another day, QPR could have scored, which would have reflected the seemingly bad luck Liverpool have had this season. 

Centre Forward: Luis Suárez

Grade: B

Early on in the game,  Luis Suárez should have squared the ball to Dirk Kuyt, but wasted numerous opportunities.

This changed almost straight from the kickoff in the second half, where he took advantage of Armand Traoré marking air, and headed in. 

I think Suárez's highlight was when he made Danny Gabbidon look like a fool inside the penalty box. 

Suárez's second half was less selfish but he needs to be more efficient if Liverpool are to score more goals. 

They had enough shots to win five games let alone one game. 

Your Opinion

Comment below with your grades of the Liverpool players.

What did you think of tonight's game? 

Pepe Reina	B
Glen Johnson	C+
Martin Škrtel	A
Daniel Agger	B
José Enrique	B+
Maxi Rodríguez	B+
Jordan Henderson	B-
Charlie Adam	C+
Stewart Downing	B+
Dirk Kuyt	B-
Luis Suárez	B

If you were wondering about the picture on this slide...

It's 27 years and three days since Independiente's José Percudani's ninth-minute strike broke the hearts of Liverpool supporters during the 1984 Intercontinental Cup final.