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Liverpool logo
Premier League
May 2, 2015 at 3pm UK
 
QPR logo

2-1

Coutinho (19'), Gerrard (87')
FT(HT: 1-0)
Fer (73')

Player Ratings: Liverpool 2-1 Queens Park Rangers

Sports Mole looks at who impressed during Liverpool's late 2-1 victory over Queens Park Rangers at Anfield.

Steven Gerrard scored a late winner for Liverpool to hand them a 2-1 victory over relegation-threatened Queens Park Rangers at Anfield this afternoon.

The Liverpool skipper had earlier missed a penalty for the Reds, who saw Philippe Coutinho's opener cancelled out by Leroy Fer, but an 87th-minute header on his penultimate Anfield appearance edged 10-man QPR closer to the drop.

Here, Sports Mole takes a look at who impressed during an entertaining clash on Merseyside.

Liverpool's Brazilian midfielder Philippe Coutinho celebrates scoring during the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Queens Park Rangers at the Anfield stadium in Liverpool, northwest England, on May 2, 2015© Getty Images



LIVERPOOL

Goal

Simon Mignolet: Almost embarrassed inside a minute with a quick corner, but was relieved to see the goal ruled out. Made a good stop to deny Fer in the first half and saw the equaliser late, but may feel that he could have done better with it. (6/10)

Defence

Emre Can: Continues to struggle along in right-back. Usually good in possession but was sloppy on occasions today. Was better defensively, however, as QPR struggled to get much joy down his flank. (6/10)

Martin Skrtel: Kept Austin out of the game for long periods and was a threat in the opposition box too, winning a penalty for his side and sending a header wide. (7/10)

Dejan Lovren: Another who gave the ball away too often. Defensively he coped with Austin for the most part, but it wasn't exactly a commanding performance. The marking was poor for the QPR equaliser too, although that can't be solely attributed to Lovren. (5/10)

Glen Johnson: Struggled to stop the cross in the opening 10 minutes but did improve defensively as the first half wore on. Didn't show many signs of why Liverpool should keep him on such a high wage this summer, though. (6/10)

Midfield

Jordan Henderson: A typically energetic and busy display in the heart of midfield. Sent one stunning pass through for Sterling, who somehow didn't convert it. (7/10)

Steven Gerrard: Very much a mixed bag on his penultimate Anfield appearance. Was clearly looking to get on the scoresheet and almost did so with a fine free kick, but miscued a couple of other efforts and saw his penalty saved. The script was still his to be written, though, and he got the winning goal for his side after all. Defensively, Fer had the better of him in the first half, but the QPR man was quieter after the break. (6/10)

Philippe Coutinho: Once again Liverpool's best player. Opened the scoring with a fine finish into the top corner and added an assist to boot, swinging in the delivery for Gerrard's winner. Looks capable of creating something every time he gets the ball. (8/10)

Attack

Adam Lallana: Linked up well with Lambert but should have got his own name on the scoresheet in the second half. A lively display all told, however, with a lot of his good work coming off the ball. (7/10)

Rickie Lambert: Did his chances of remaining in the side for the rest of the season no harm with a good performance. Held the ball up and brought others into play really well, including with the assist for Coutinho's goal. (7/10)

Raheem Sterling: Still struggling to find his best form. Not positive enough against Hill considering the pace difference between the two and missed a sitter in the second half. (5/10)

Substitutes

Jordon Ibe: Almost made an immediate impact by getting to the byline and pulling a dangerous low cross into the box. Had one or two threatening moments other than that, but nothing too notable. (6/10)

Lazar Markovic: Introduced late on as Liverpool pushed for the win, but played little part in the Reds actually getting it. (6/10)

Lucas Leiva: Came on for Gerrard in the closing stages and helped his side to see out the victory. (6/10)


QPR

Goal

Rob Green: If QPR had got anything from this game, Green would have been the first to thank. Made a string of fine saves to keep his side in it, including denying Gerrard from the penalty spot. (7/10)

Defence

Nedum Onuoha: Conceded the penalty on Skrtel with a blatant pull in the area and, having received a yellow for that, proceeded to lunge in on Ibe to earn a red card moments later. (4/10)

Richard Dunne: Almost added yet another own goal to his collection early in the second half but all in all put in a solid display. (6/10)

Steven Caulker: Was a threat in the Liverpool box on more than one occasion, but defensively looked suspect at times before being forced off at half time with a hand injury. (6/10)

Clint Hill: Coped well against Sterling before being moved into one of the back three in the second half. Very fortunate not to concede a penalty in the opening 45 minutes, though. (6/10)

Midfield

Matty Phillips: Not as dangerous down the flank as he has been at times recently. Put a couple of testing balls into the box in the opening 10 minutes, but the general standard of his delivery was disappointing. (5/10)

Sandro: Patrolled midfield without ever really getting to grips with Coutinho's movement. Was not overrun, but certainly didn't have things all his own way in the middle of the park. (6/10)

Joey Barton: Gave the ball away far too many times in the first half. Improved after the break, however, and provided the assist for QPR's equaliser with a good corner. (6/10)

Karl Henry: Hill and Henry aren't exactly the most natural wide pairing to play on the left flank, and as such they were unable to expose any flaws in Can's defensive game. (5/10)

Attack

Leroy Fer: Played just off Austin and was his side's best player in the opening 45 minutes, continually driving past Gerrard and running at the heart of the defence. Faded a little in the second half, only to pop up with a good finish for the equaliser. (7/10)

Charlie Austin: Could not get into the game at all. Sights of goal were few and far between for the 17-goal striker, who simply does not look as dangerous without Zamora up alongside him. (5/10)

Substitutes

Yoon Suk-young: Gave QPR more width, with his half-time introduction prompting a change of tactics. The visitors still struggled to get into the game until the closing stages, though. (6/10)

Bobby Zamora: Not deemed fit enough to start but came on 20 minutes from time and, without having too big of a direct impact, helped QPR to get back into the match. (6/10)


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Liverpool's Brazilian midfielder Philippe Coutinho celebrates scoring during the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Queens Park Rangers at the Anfield stadium in Liverpool, northwest England, on May 2, 2015
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