Liverpool 1-0 QPR: 5 Things Learned From The Game

Liverpool played host to QPR on Saturday afternoon in a critical Premier League match for both teams and it was Liverpool who ran out eventual winners with a one-nil victory. Here are five things we learned.

1. Maxi Rodriguez is pure class and deserves to start every game

Maxi is like a fine wine, he gets better with age. The Argentine is clearly in the form of his life and as such it makes no sense for Kenny Dalglish to keep him on the bench. He only found himself in the starting line-up this time because of the absence of Spearing and Lucas mean’t Henderson was drafted in to central midfield. He might not have scored in this game but he put in another dynamic display.

If there’s one thing about Maxi that makes him so important to the team it’s that he and Suarez get the best out of each other. Add a bit of Dirk Kuyt and Craig Bellamy to that cocktail and you get a pretty tasty combination.

His movement constantly got him into scoring opportunities and but for some great reactionary saves by Radek Cerny he would have got himself another goal to add to his three this season.

2. Charlie Adam and Henderson in central midfield will not work against better teams

Liverpool might be able to get away without playing with a holding midfielder against QPR at home but against a top side the holes that were left in midfield yesterday by two attack minded players would have been exploited.

Adam has somewhat reinvented himself since arriving from Blackpool, developing a defensive side to his game that just wasn’t there at the Tangerines. He is not, however, as good defensively as Lucas or indeed Jay Spearing and Liverpool will be caught out against better sides.

3. Agger and Skrtel are Liverpool’s best defensive pairing

With this central pairing Liverpool have only conceded three goals in the last six games and they have well and truly established themselves as the Reds best defensive partnership.

Jamie Carragher’s legs are not quick enough anymore to allow Liverpool to play a high defensive line. Martin Skrtel and Daniel Agger on the other hand are more than capable, and as long as Agger is able to remain fit for more than a few games these two will continue to put in assured defensive performances.

4. Andy Carroll isn’t part of Liverpool’s best starting 11… and maybe never will be.

As the QPR fans sang “He looks like a girl” to Andy Carroll as the striker warmed up on the sideline, you couldn’t help but wonder that that’s the least of his worries. Liverpool are a better side when he’s not playing and there’s no way of denying it.

Suarez, Maxi, Downing/Bellamy and Kuyt/Bellamy have always created chances when they’ve played with each other. Their movement is creative and the opposition never know what to expect. When Carroll plays however, the attacks are predictable and there doesn’t appear to be any understanding with the other forwards.

5. Liverpool need to improve their finishing

It’s been the story of the season and it was no different in this game. Liverpool had 25 shots and only eight of them were on target. Granted, Cerny was superb in goal but the reds needed to do better in front of goal.

Suarez kept knocking and knocking at QPR’s door and eventually his persistence paid off with a fine headed goal just after half time. That one goal lead was never enough to calm the nerves though and better sides could punish us.

Another three points secured and you can see some player ratings here.  Thanks to Liverpool Football Blog for submitting this guest post.