Luis Suarez’s first goal since the start of October proved to the match winner at Anfield as Liverpool beat QPR 1-0 to maintain their unbeaten home record this season.
It took the home side 69 minutes to break through the R’s resolve with Suarez heading in Charlie Adam’s cross to ensure his side avoided a fifth successive home draw. It was the Uruguayan strikers first goal since scoring against Everton on 1st October and boss Kenny Dalglish will be delighted his frontman decided to rediscover his shooting boots in this game. The win moved the Reds above Newcastle into sixth and bolstered their chances of breaking into the top four over Christmas. They were made to work for victory as they were frustrated for large periods with Ranger’s goalkeeper Radek Cerny producing a number of saves to keep his team in with a chance of taking a point away from Merseyside. Neil Warnock’s men put in a backs to the wall shift at Anfield as they were forced to defend for much of the contest as the hosts dominated possession from start to finish.
Liverpool attacked ferociously in the first half winning a remarkable 10 corners but never serious testing Cerny with winger Maxi Rodriguez testing the keeper early on. The Argentinian raced onto Dirk Kuyt’s through ball but couldn’t beat the Czech keeper who made a superb one handed save to keep the game level. He was at it again towards the end of the half as he stood up tall palming the ball to safety after Suarez tried to beat him with a superbly lofted effort before shuffling to his left to keep out Stewart Downing’s strike. It was Suarez who was looking the most dangerous player in a red shirt with his menacing movement and tenacious closing down causing the visiting defence problems.
He carried that over into the second period and it was no surprise when he broke the deadlock just two minutes after the restart ghosting into space before meeting Adam’s cross with his head and guiding the ball past Cerny. It was no more than Liverpool deserved their dominant first half display and they were unfortunate not to double their lead following Suarez’s goal. Rodriguez was again denied by Cerny who flung himself to the top corner to keep out the midfielders effort before denying him with another impressive save minutes later. The R’s had their moments late on forcing a flurry of corners but could have fell two behind in stoppage time with Shaun Wright-Phillips’ clearance hitting the underside of his own crossbar as Liverpool won at Anfield for the first time in four games.
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