The Asian Age

Liverpool survive QPR scare

-

London, Oct. 19: Liverpool’s Raheem Sterling ended a difficult week on a high as the teenager inspired his side’s dramatic 3- 2 win over QPR in an incredible finish featuring three goals in stoppage- time at Loftus Road on Sunday.

Sterling had endured widespread derision after England manager Roy Hodgson revealed the Reds star had told him he was too tired to play in last weekend’s Euro 2016 qualifier against Estonia.

The 19- year- old’s commitment to his country and passion for the sport were subsequent­ly questioned, but Sterling made a point to the critics as he played the entire 90 minutes at Loftus Road and produced two key contributi­ons to seal the points for Brendan Rodgers’ men.

With Hodgson watching from the stands, Sterling, who began his career as a QPR trainee, won a freekick which led to Hoops defender Richard Dunne turning into the net for Liverpool’s second half opener.

That set the stage for an astonishin­g finale as Eduardo Vargas equalised with three minutes left, only for Philippe Coutinho to restore Liverpool’s lead in the 90th minute.

Vargas levelled again in stoppage- time, but Liverpool still emerged with three points thanks to Sterling, whose cross was deflected into his own net by QPR defender Steven Caulker with vir- tually the last kick of the match.

Rodgers’ side were faring no better in front of goal and Mario Balotelli’s lethargic performanc­e was summed up when he somehow blazed over an open goal from close range after Adam Lallana’s shot was pushed into the Italian’s path by QPR goalkeeper Alex McCarthy’s fine save.

Sterling had been the catalyst for that Liverpool break and the teenager played a key role again when the Reds took the lead in the 67th minute.

Battling for possession on the right flank, Sterling won a free- kick which he cleverly took quickly while QPR were still regrouping.

With QPR suddenly exposed, Johnson took Sterling’s pass and whipped over a low cross that Dunne miscued into his own net as he tried to clear.

Balotelli squandered a chance to kill off QPR in the closing minutes and Vargas made him with an 87th minute equaliser.

After looking lethargic in attack for so long, Liverpool were suddenly provoked into life and Coutinho looked to have won it when he finished a flowing move between Sterling and Steven Gerrard with a fine low strike in the 90th minute.

 ?? — AP ?? Liverpool’s Raheem Sterling ( right) and Steven Gerrard celebrate after QPR’s Steven Caulker scored an own goal in stoppage time during their EPL match at Loftus Road in London on Sunday. The Reds won 3- 2.
— AP Liverpool’s Raheem Sterling ( right) and Steven Gerrard celebrate after QPR’s Steven Caulker scored an own goal in stoppage time during their EPL match at Loftus Road in London on Sunday. The Reds won 3- 2.
 ?? — PTI ?? Action during the NorthEast United and FC Goa ISL match in Guwahati on Sunday.
— PTI Action during the NorthEast United and FC Goa ISL match in Guwahati on Sunday.
 ??  ??

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from India