Queens Park Rangers will head into this match and almost all of their remaining fixtures as underdogs, which does alleviate the pressure somewhat. It`s fair to say the R`s struggled against their fellow relegation rivals recently, only picking up points against Wigan, a disappointing outcome to say the least. Going by their fixtures, QPR are certainly one of the favourites to go down and it will be a ‘backs to the wall job` if they are going to stay up. In some ways, the pressure is now off the Super Hoops as no-one really expects us to stay up, which could relinquish the shackles that have certainly limited several performances this season.
The R`s have looked their best when really going for the win and taking the game to the opposition and coincidentally that has been against the likes of Man City and Chelsea, two teams that we have to play again. If the R`s can play with that freedom then it could be an emotional rollercoaster from now until the end of the season. Rangers` best bet for survival is attack and if Cisse and Zamora can lead from the front and score a few more goals, anything is possible.
Since returning to Anfield, Kenny Dalglish has galvanised what was a pedestrian and bloated squad. Over the course of three transfer windows Dalglish has replaced the mercenaries with young, hungry British talent to form a future spine for the club. His transfer policy has raised a few eyebrows, especially the size of the fees paid for players such as Jordan Henderson and Andy Carroll. In fairness, it is far more refreshing to see a manager signing British players, rather than continuously looking abroad for cheaper alternatives. With a trophy to boot this season, the Liverpool project is certainly underway and moving forward. However, a top four finish is still a bit too much for them at the moment.
Last Fixture
Bolton 2 (Pratley, Klasnic)
QPR 1 (Cisse)
Team: Kenny, Onuoha, Traore (Taiwo), Hill, Ferdinand, Diakite, Derry (Buzsaky), Barton, Wright-Phillips (Mackie), Cisse, Zamora.
Liverpool 2 (Suarez, Downing)
Stoke 1 (Crouch)
Team: Reina, Enrique, Kelly (Coates), Skrtel, Carragher, Gerrard, Maxi (Kuyt), Spearing, Downing, Suarez (Henderson), Carroll.
QPR Team News:
Strikers Heider Helguson and DJ Campbell are both unavailable but will be returning to action in the coming weeks. Adel Taarabt is back in contention after recovering from a hamstring complaint.
Possible line up:
Onuoha – Hill – Ferdinand – Traore
Wright-Phillips – Barton – Diakite – Taarabt
Cisse – Zamora
Player to watch: Clint Hill
Arguably, Clint Hill has been one of the few shining lights in what has been a miserable and depressing season. What a pleasure it is to see one of the old stalwarts performing consistently well at the highest level in the English game. Hill plays with his heart on his sleeve and is one of the few natural leaders in the squad. He has developed a decent partnership with Anton Ferdinand in recent weeks, which is starting to look solid and can only bode well for the rest of the season. Of course Hill along with everyone associated at the club will feel aggrieved after the ‘goal` that never stood last week, especially as his performances of late have been first class and deserving of a goal. Nevertheless, Hill must lead by example against Liverpool and come out fighting, which is what I would expect from the uncompromising centre half.
Liverpool Team News:
Craig Bellamy is a doubt having missed out the last two games due to a knock. Glen Johnson is out with a hamstring problem.
Possible line-up:
Kelly – Skrtel – Agger – Enrique
Kuyt – Spearing – Gerrard – Downing
Carroll – Suarez
Player to watch: Steven Gerrard
Vital QPR has singled out Steven Gerrard as the One to Watch
To read our profile of the player Click Here >>>
The Stat Attack
LAST FIVE
Queens Park Rangers: LLLDL
Liverpool: WLLWW
HEAD 2 HEAD
Queens Park Rangers: 7
Liverpool: 31
Draw: 8
LAST TIME OUT
Premier League – 10/12/11
Anfield
Liverpool 1 (Suarez)
QPR 0
Team: Cerny, Gabbidon, Ferdinand (Orr), Young, Traore, Wright-Phillips, Barton, Mackie (Hill), Smith (Campbell), Faurlin, Bothroyd
Attendance: 45,016
Ref Watch:
Referee: H Webb
Assistants: S Beck & S Long
Fourth Official: P Walton
Howard Webb is the match official for tomorrow`s game. This season Webb has issued 124 yellow cards and 5 red cards in 37 games.
To read more see: Ref Watch >>>
Match Prediction:
On paper, the quality between the two sides is vast and therefore most punters will expect Liverpool to comfortably beat QPR tomorrow night. Realistically, I think we will lose. I`m not being pessimistic; I just find it hard to imagine us beating a team like Liverpool when we`ve lost to the likes of Bolton, Wolves and Blackburn. On the night though, I get the feeling Liverpool might not fancy it as much as us which could certainly level the playing field. Djibril Cisse will play a major part tomorrow and I could see him getting on the scoresheet. Ultimately, we will find it very difficult to win but you can never write off the R`s, we are a funny old side.
1-2 Away win looks inevitable.
Next Up
Who:Sunderland
Where:Stadium Of Light
When:24/03/12 – 15:00