Liverpool edge QPR after thrilling finale at Loftus Road

Sunday 19 Oct 2014
Raheem Sterling celebrates Liverpool dramatic victory

Liverpool left west London with three points after a thrilling 3-2 victory against QPR at Loftus Road.

England internationals Raheem Sterling, Jordan Henderson, Glen Johnson and Adam Lallana - as well as former Three Lions captain Steven Gerrard - were all named in Brendan Rodgers' starting eleven.

And in front of the onlooking England manager Roy Hodgson, the two sides produced a Premier League classic.

There were four goals in the final seven minutes as QPR twice pegged Liverpool back, before the dramatic final twist.

England midfielder Jordan Henderson has played every minute of Liverpool's Premier League season so far

In the end it was Steven Caulker's late own goal that gifted the victory to the visitors.

Liverpool went into the final five minutes leading 1-0 thanks to a Richard Dunne own goal in the 67th minute.

Eduardo Vargas cancelled out Dunne's error on 87 minutes, before Philippe Coutinho put the Reds back into the lead three minutes later.

QPR refused to let their heads drop, however, and again equalised through Vargas deep into injury time.

But it was not to be for Harry Redknapp's side, and with seconds remaining Sterling broke through and looked to pick out Mario Balotelli, causing the ball to divert in off the luckless Caulker.

Speaking after the game, former England captain Steven Gerrard admitted his side were fortunate: 

"We were very lucky to be honest," he told Sky Sports.

"We would have had no complaints today had we come away with a point.

"I think we're very lucky to come away with three points.

England manager Roy Hodgson chats with Les Ferdinand at Loftus Road

"Our performance needs to be better. 

"The only credit we can give ourselves is that we never give up and we keep going until the end. 

Despite the poor performance, Gerrard said his side could still take plenty of positives from their afternoon's endeavours.

He continued: "We got rewarded in the end for hanging in and staying in the game. But it needs improving.

"Of course we're going to go away really happy. 

"We've got three points and that's what we came for - but moving forward we know we've got to improve.

"I've played in many games during my career when we've battered teams from start to finish and come away with nothing," Gerrard continued. 

"Football is a strange game at times and I'm sure all the QPR players and Harry Redknapp are sitting in there in shock.

Tom Carroll made his first Premier League start, but was unable to prevent Swansea losing at Stoke

"It was one of those games that could have gone either way.

"From our point of view we've conceded two sloppy goals again and we're coming up in the next fortnight against the best side in Europe, so we need to address that."

Raheem Sterling also admitted his side were fortunate to be travelling home with maximum points. 

He said: "I thought we were not the best today but we hung in there and got three points that we didn't deserve. But that's part of football.

"It's always good to play football and it's no different this week. The manager put me out there and I'm just happy we got the three points."

Elsewhere on Sunday, England Under-21 international Tom Carroll was handed his first Premier League start for Swansea at Stoke.

However, he was unable to prevent the Swans falling to a 2-1 defeat thanks to goals from Charlie Adam and Jonathan Walters, who scored after Wilfried Bony had given Swansea the lead.

By Jamie Reid Senior Writer