QPR v Liverpool

The match between two teams who are under-performing by their own standards and reputation. These two teams are struggling to find form even though they both have quality players in their side. This article will not just tackle the match but why I think they seem to be under-performing. The result of the game was 3-0 to Liverpool with all the goals coming in the first half and the player who took all the headlines was Suarez (arguably the most talked about footballer in UK). QPR's centre backs were just not good enough to handle his movement especially in and around the box which brought the first two goals in 16 minutes. 12 minutes later Liverpool had a corner that was played short and caught QPR's defence off, a second later Agger was unmarked to head home Gerrard's delivery from the right. Any hopes of a revival from QPR was lost when Cisse was taken off for Derry at half time with Harry Redknapp stating that at the end of the match 'it was damage control from then on". To be fair to him, QPR never started the game well and this was seen in the movement from the players as they looked weary. This was against a Liverpool side who had just lost their match against Stoke and were looking to bounce back especially with their manager not at the game due to an illness. Therefore, it could be seen as soon as Liverpool scored their first goal the match was over as QPR players were shouting at each other.

The reason why I feel QPR are struggling and rest at the bottom of the table is due to the players that were bought and are at the club only wanting money. It seems some of the players don't care about the result of the game, as long as they get picked and get their wages they are happy. Now this type of environment can ruin a club so easily especially one who just fought off relegation the season before. Players like Adel Tarrabt who is still finding his feet have made statements such as I want to move to a bigger team such as Manchester United or one of the Milan sides can only decrease the team chemistry. Harry Redknapp is known for taking teams out of the bottom half and making them into a top 10 side but this will be no easy task for him as the problems for QPR are on and off the pitch.

The problem with Liverpool is completely different, they have a leader in Steven Gerrard who is the dynamo of the club. They have a world class striker in Luis Suarez who is bagged 13 goals in the Premier League and have youngsters such as Raheem Sterling who have taken the PL by storm yet they lie 9th in the table. I feel this is because Liverpool rely too much on one or two players to get them goals and they need to find a replacement for Gerrard. First things first, goals win you matches and apart from Suarez there are not many goal scorers in the Liverpool team. When you compare this to sides such as Manchester City who have more goal scorers on their substitute bench. The realistic goal for Liverpool is to be in the top 6 and if they are lucky then qualify for the Champions League but for this to happen they need a couple more goal scorers. The other reason I feel Liverpool are struggling is because they have not been able to cope with Gerrard being a deep lying midfielder which means he is no longer a box to box midfielder. Therefore, he will not score 10-15 goals a season which he used to 3 or 4 years ago. Due to this, Liverpool have not replaced him with any midfielder and with only one fit striker at the club the future is not looking too bright for them. The one thing that can save them is the transfer window and there are strong rumours of signing Daniel Sturridge which can work but only time can tell. All in all, the two teams will be busy in the next few weeks and Good Luck to Harry because he needs it the most.