History
QPR’s return to the Premier League signalled the end of 15 seasons outside the top flight for the London club.
The two clubs have played 20 times in the League at Loftus Road – the reds winning 11 times to QPR’s 5. The reds last defeat was on Halloween 1994, when a John Barnes goal was sandwiched between goals from Trevor Sinclair and Les Ferdinand to give QPR all three points. February 1996 was the last time Liverpool played at this ground – winning 2-1 thanks to Mark Wright and Robbie Fowler.
Earlier this season Liverpool won 1-0 at Anfield thanks to a Luis Suarez goal.
If selected, Dirk Kuyt will be playing his 200th League game for Liverpool.
Injuries and Suspensions
Daniel Agger is out for Liverpool – and Craig Bellamy and Glen Johnson have missed the last games for Liverpool through minor injuries. Luis Suarez and Martin Kelly picked up knocks in the weekend’s cup win over Stoke and could be doubts.
DJ Campbell and Heidar Helguson are out for QPR.
Form
Mark Hughes men haven’t won a Premier League game for 2 months and find themselves at the top of the relegation zone on goal difference alone. QPR have drawn twice and lost 4 of their last 6 – picking up 2 points out of 18.
Liverpool have won their last 2 games – a Premier League clash against Everton and a FA Cup Quarter Final victory over Stoke City – both games at home. The reds last away game ended in a disappointing 1-0 defeat away at Sunderland.
After an impressive start to away games for Liverpool – the wheels have come off in recent months – Liverpool only winning once in the last 6 away games.
Teams
Liverpool –(from) Reina, Enrique, Carragher, Coates, Skrtel, Kelly, Flanagan, Adam, Henderson, Gerrard, Spearing, Shelvey, Downing, Kuyt, Rodriguez, Suarez, Carroll
Last starting XI – Reina, Enrique, Carragher, Skrtel, Kelly, Downing, Spearing, Gerrard, Rodriguez, Suarez, Carroll: Bench: Doni, Coates, Flanagan, Shelvey, Adam, Henderson, Kuyt
QPR: Last Starting XI: Kenny, Hill, Traore, Ferdinand, Onuoha, Diakite, Derry, Barton, Wright-Phillips, Zamora, Cisse
Prediction
QPR are staring down the barrel of relegation and will be hoping to give themselves some breathing space at the bottom. They have players who are more than capable of grabbing the goals – and Djibril Cisse will have extra motivation against his former club. Liverpool, though boosted through the past week’s results have developed a problem winning away from home – all of which suggests this game could be a lot tighter than the Premier League table suggests.
QPR 1-2 Liverpool
Betting
Liverpool are favourites at 4/5, with QPR not massive outsiders at a mere 4/1.
You can get 7/1 on our 2-1 LFC prediction. With goals in both teams you can get 20/1 for a 2-2 draw. Djibril Cisse and Dirk Kuyt are both 8/1 to open the scoring.
TV and Online
This match is not being broadcast live on TV in the UK.
You can follow the game with us on Twitter and discuss the game live with other fans on LFC Reds