da leao： QPR will be hoping they can repeat London rival’s Fulham feat and take three points away from a Liverpool side still chasing a place in the Premier League top four.
da spicy bet： The Reds will be spoiling after their late defeat on the Thames that denied them the chance to leapfrog fifth placed Newcastle and move to within two points of Chelsea who currently occupy the final Champions League place. An unbeaten run of eight games preceded the loss against Fulham with Kenny Dalglish desperate to bring European football back to Anfield. However supporters will be unhappy that their side were unable to come away victorious from the capital in game they will have designated as being very winnable. Four points from their previous two games against Chelsea and Manchester City had seen confidence levels soar on Merseyside only for them to be brought back down to earth on Monday night. It wasn’t the ideal way for Liverpool to begin a period, which could define their season. Dalglish hasn’t been afraid to get his chequebook out when it matters and should his side struggle over the festive period he could delve into the transfer market once more come January. His spending spree back in January saw him spend over £50 million on strikers Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll. Whilst the Uruguayan has gone on to be a huge success and one of the most feared forwards in the top flight the same can’t be said for Carroll. The pony tailed Geordie has failed to live up to his £35 million price tag and another lacklustre display at Fulham on Monday night did little to inspire belief in the stands. A positive performance against QPR on Saturday would go along way to building his morale ahead of energy sapping run of fixtures.
Neil Warnock’s side have enjoyed a thoroughly pleasing start to the season and have left the pundits, who predicted them to struggle, bewildered by their comfortable mid-table position. Despite their relatively lofty position a recent slump that has seen them win one from their last five games has given supporters cause to be concerned ahead of the festive period. Whilst that solitary victory was an impressive away win at Stoke games against Manchester United, Swansea and Arsenal await them in December. It’s a tough run of fixtures by anyone’s standards and performances will need to improve drastically if the R’s are going to pick up points that could prove vital at the season’s climax. A run of negative results could prove catastrophic going into the New Year with a series of defeats something Warnock will be looking to avoid during a month that can prove to be physically and mentally draining. Travelling to Merseyside to face Liverpool isn’t the ideal way to kick things off especially with the Red’s currently unbeaten in seven at home. The experience of Joey Barton, Luke Young and Shaun Wright-Phillips will be vital and could prove to be the difference as to whether Rangers go back to Loftus Road with some points under their belt.
Liverpool – 7th
Last Five: Drew 1-1 v Manchester City, Won 2-1 v Chelsea (A), Drew 0-0 v Swansea (H), Won 2-0 v West Brom (A), Drew 1-1 v Norwich (H)
Potential Starting X11: 25. P. Reina [C] 2. G. Johnson 5. D. Agger 37. M. Skrtel 3. J. Enrique 19. S. Downing 26. C. Adam 14. J. Henderson 18. D. Kuyt 7. L. Suarez* 39. C. Bellamy
Injury News: Dalglish has no new injury concerns with Lucas out for the long term with a knee injury whilst captain Steven Gerrard is also sidelined.
Key Player: Luis Suarez
Despite seeing the goals dry up Suarez is still an integral part of the way Liverpool attack and he was unlucky to be on the losing side on Monday night. His terrier like approach is always a handful for defenders with his tenacious nature mixing well with that of strike partner Craig Bellamy. Whilst he is also capable of acts of individual brilliance it’s his unselfish running and work rate that has endeared him to the Anfield faithful and they’ll be expecting more of the same against QPR on Saturday.
Match Fact: This will be the first time Liverpool have met QPR in the Premier League since 1996. In the eight encounters prior to Saturday’s game the Reds ran out winners on six occasions.
QPR – 12th
Last Five: Drew 1-1 v West Brom (H), Lost 2-1 v Norwich (A), Won 3-2 v Stoke (A), Lost 3-2 v Man City (H), Lost 3-1 v Tottenham (A)
Potential Starting X11: 24. R. Cerny 18. L. Young 35. A. Ferdinand 6. D. Gabbidon 3. C. Hill 11. A. Faurlin 4. S. Derry 7. J. Barton[C] 10. J. Mackie 32. S. Wright-Phillips 22. H. Helguson*
Injury News: Warnock is still without key players Paddy Kenny, Matt Connolly, DJ Campbell, Kieron Dyer and Rob Hulse who will all be in the Loftus Road treatment room over Christmas.
Key Player: Heidar Helguson
Despite being fourth choice at the start of the season Helguson’s goal scoring exploits have seen him become one of the first names on Warnock’s teamsheet. Six goals in eight games has catapulted him back into the starting line up and his fearless approach up front has won him countless plaudits this season. With summer signing Jay Bothroyd struggling to find the net it’s been the Icelandic forward who has shouldered the burden of finding the net and his fearless approach up front should unsettle a Liverpool back four that has been in fine form of late.
Match Fact: Rangers have never beaten Liverpool at Anfield in the Premier League and have secured victory only once against the Reds – a 2-1 win back in October 1994.
Last Time at Anfield
Premier League 30 August 1995
Liverpool 1-0 QPR
Ruddock (29)
Attendance: 37,548
Referee: Steve Dunn
PREDICTION
Despite being unbeaten at home this season Liverpool should throw caution to the wind as QPR descend upon Merseyside. Monday’s defeat at Fulham was a stark reminded that they aren’t quite yet the finished article under Dalglish but are making steps towards getting back to their best. Ranger’s will go to Anfield knowing they can handles themselves accordingly on the road having beaten Stoke at the Britannia Stadium two weeks ago. Both sides work hard but are having problems converting chances into goals at the moment, which means it’s going to be hard to separate the two.
Score: 1-1
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