It was hardly convincing, and in the end it was hardly a significant result in terms of the league table, but it was 3 points nonetheless. Above all, it was fantastic to see our captain head the late winner at the Kop end after missing a penalty just moments before, avoiding another calamitous result against low calibre opposition. Here’s how I rated our players.
Simon Mignolet – 6/10
Wasn’t called into action a great deal, but was alert where necessary. Unfortunately he could not keep a clean sheet this time round, but he could not be blamed for the QPR goal. He remains at the front of the pack in the race for the Golden Glove award.
Emre Can – 7/10
Source: liverpoolfc.com
A significant improvement on recent performances. Can played at right back yet again, but coped much better in this role. He got forward well on several occasions to join the attack, whilst he won a hugely impressive 7/8 tackles. A solid display in an unfamiliar position.
Martin Skrtel – 6/10
Skrtel misplaced just 2 passes throughout the entire match and was generally comfortable, although not under severe pressure from the QPR attack. Along with Lovren, however, he was caught flat footed when failing to mark at the corner from which Leroy Fer scored the equaliser.
Dejan Lovren – 6/10
Much like his Slovakian counter-part, Lovren had an assured game, passing accurately and clearing danger when necessary, but again he should have been more alert to prevent Fer’s equaliser. The rash mistakes are noticeably less frequent than earlier in the season, so there are signs of progress.
Glen Johnson – 5/10
Another rather sloppy and laboured display I’m afraid- it’s very much time he moves on in the summer. Johnson’s first touch and control let him down several times, and he gave the ball away unnecessarily and too frequently. He wasn’t much of a threat going forwards either.
Steven Gerrard – 7/10
Source: liverpoolfc.com
It’s no secret that Gerrard has struggled this season, yet he was more commanding like his old self on this occasion, spraying passes out wide from a deep, central position. He agonisingly missed what looked like the last chance to win the match, and possibly his last chance to score at Anfield, as his penalty was saved by Rob Green. Just a few moments later, Gerrard rose to slam a perfect header into the net from Coutinho’s corner to win the match late on in front of the Kop, which he celebrated in delight. A happy ending for a true legend.
Jordan Henderson – 7/10
Henderson often underperforms when playing alongside Gerrard, but this time round he expressed his own considerable ability with some excellent passes in an energetic individual performance. He set Sterling up with a superb flick, which has become something of a trademark for him, only for the goal to be correctly ruled offside, and he also demonstrated his captaincy material when pulling Lallana away from a heated confrontation.
Philippe Coutinho – 8/10
Coutinho followed up his PFA Team of the Season inclusion with a goal and an assist, showing what a brilliant player he is, even if his overall stats don’t look spectacular. Collecting Lambert’s pass, Coutinho’s first touch was sublime, as he curled in a classy finish into the top corner to open the scoring, taking his tally to 8 goals for the season, before his accurate corner delivery was met by Gerrard to head the winner.
Adam Lallana – 6/10
It’s been an inconsistent and frustratingly injury-hit season for Lallana but he performed well here, back in the starting lineup for the first time in a while. His neat, intricate build up play was lovely to watch at times, and he produced one excellent pass in the first half to cut through the QPR defence, in what was a bright individual display before he was replaced by Ibe midway through the second half. He should, however have scored himself, missing an excellent opportunity from close range.
Raheem Sterling – 5/10
In patches, Sterling showed what he is capable of, taking on and beating his opponents, but his contribution was not consistent throughout and he also spurned a glorious chance- his finishing is clearly the area he needs to improve most. He could also release the ball earlier at times, as he has a tendency to run into traffic and surrender possession too easily.
Rickie Lambert – 6/10
Given a rare start by Rodgers, Lambert put in a good shift for the team. He held the ball up well, finding useful pockets of space to collect and release the ball. His accurate pass to Coutinho also earned him an assist. He didn’t let himself down whatsoever, even if he is perhaps short of the natural ability to be a Liverpool striker.
Substitutes
Jordon Ibe – 6/10
Lively, positive and direct like his usual self. A welcome bundle of pace and energy for the final 20 minutes in place of Lallana. He could do with scoring his first goal before the season is up to give him that added confidence boost ahead of pre-season.
Lazar Markovic – N/A
Lucas Leiva – N/A
Red Regista
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