Liverpool FC take on Queens Park Rangers in a Premier League today at Anfield. Liverpool are currently at the 5th position in the league table. Brendan Rodgersa side is going through a bad patch in recent times. After losing against Aston Villa in the FA Cup finals, they lost by a goal to nil against Hull City last week which halted their chance of making it among the top four teams in the Premier League. They still have a lot to play for. A win in all the four games remaining will cement their position in the league and they can finish the season in a respectable position.
Queens Park Rangers, on the other hand are struggling at the bottom half of the league table. They are place at the 19th position and most likely will be demoted next season. Chris Ramsey will want his team to put up a resolute performance against The Reds and improve their position in the league table.
Team News& Tactical Brief
Liverpool FC
Liverpool FC will miss the services of their two best strikers Daniel Sturridge, who has remained out of action for quite some time now due to injury scare. Mario Balotelli who has had a terrible outing with the club is also out after sustaining a foot injury in the last game against Hull City. Brendan Rodgers is fielding four defenders since last week and is likely to stick to his tactics. Steven Gerrard will be back in the side and play alongside Jordan Henderson and Phillip Coutinho. Fabio Borini will start upfront as the striker, with Raheem Sterling and Lazar Markovic assisting him in the attack force. Liverpool will possibly play in a 4-3-3 formation.
Probable Line-up (4-3-3): Mignolet; Johnson, Lovren, Skrtel, Can; Gerrard, Henderson, Coutinho; Markovic, Borini, Sterling
Queens Park Rangers
Queens Park Rangers manager Chris Ramsey will hope that his teama s one of the most important striker Bobby Zamora makes it to the starting eleven who has a persisting hip problem. The partnership of Bobby Zamora and Charlie Austin upfront will be an intimidating factor for the opposition defenders. Rio Ferdinand is unlikely to start who has injury trouble. Recent reports though suggest that the ex-Manchester United match rejoined practice sessions but is not match fit. Also Eduardo Vargas and Alejandro Faurlin are ruled out of action due to knee injuries.
Probable Line-up (4-4-2): Green; Isla, Dunne, Caulker, Yun; Phillips, Barton, Sandro, Henry; Austin, Zamora
Key Stats
- Liverpool have an intimidating home record in the recent times. They have just lost 1 game in their 11 home matches in the Premier League
- Since the start of last season, Charlie Austin has scored 36 league goals for QPR (inc. playoffs) a 29 more than any other player for the club (Zamora the next most with seven).
Key Players
Raheem Sterling (Liverpool FC)
Raheem Sterling is the most important player in this Liverpool side. In the absence of the frontline strikers in the side, Raheem Sterling will play the most crucial role for the Reds in this game against minnows Queens Park Rangers. The English international as created a huge uproar with some stellar performances in the past two seasons. His speedy runs down the wings, his crafty dribbling skills and his goal scoring ability makes Sterling a complete and a compact attacking player. It will be up to the young lad to guide Brendan Rodgersa side to a much-needed win against Queens Park Rangers. The defenders will have to mark this young attacker.
Charlie Austin (Queens Park Rangers)
Charlie Austin has been simply spectacular this season for an extremely below average side. The English forward has scored 17 goals in this season out of his teama s 38 and provided 4 assists. His stats speak volumes for the mana s performance this season and without a doubt he is the most important and the key player in this Queens Park Rangers side. Austin will pair up with Bobby Zamora and the partnership is sure to generate troubles for Liverpoola s defense who have been out of form for quite a few matches in the recent times. Dejan Lovren and Martin Skrtel will have to be vigilant and keep a check on Charlie Austina s moves in the game.
Final Prediction
Liverpool FC 1 Queens Park Rangers 0
Liverpool FC on paper are considered to be the favourites to win this tie against relegation threatened Queens Park Rangers. They are on 58 points after playing 34 games this season. Brendan Rodgers will want his team to pull off a victory today and move in the points tally. A win today will keep them in the race for a top four finish. Queens Park Rangers will at least want a point against a depleted Liverpool side who have had a terrible form in the past few weeks. We predict a 1-0 win in favour of Liverpool.