SG: Reds fought well, but we must improve
Steven Gerrard admitted Liverpool's display was below par against Queens Park Rangers, but insisted the team can take solace in the way they battled to the end on a dramatic afternoon at Loftus Road.
Brendan Rodgers' side looked to have secured a victory on their return to Barclays Premier League action when Richard Dunne put through his own net, caught unaware by a quick free-kick in the 67th minute.
However, a frantic final eight minutes ensued, with four goals flying in. Eduardo Vargas equalised for the Hoops, but Philippe Coutinho jinked across the penalty area and curled home to make it 2-1.
With an away victory seemingly clinched, Vargas weighed in again to send the home crowd into ecstasy, nodding a second equaliser. Liverpool were undeterred, though, as Raheem Sterling raced clear and his cross forced Steven Caulker into netting an own goal which made it 3-2 to the Reds.
"I think we were very lucky to get three points," Gerrard told Sky Sports from the Loftus Road tunnel following the exhilarating finale. "Our performance needs to be better, in my opinion.
"We could have had no complaints today if we had come away with nothing and we could have had no complaints if we had come away with a point. It was a very bitty game - stop-start - but I think the only credit that we can give ourselves is that we never gave up.
"We kept going to the end and we got rewarded for hanging in and staying in the game. But all-round, it needs improving. Of course we're going to go away really happy with the three points. It's what we came for."
Harry Redknapp's side were dominant in the first half, hitting the woodwork twice and calling Simon Mignolet - who made a string of impressive saves throughout the game - into action on several occasions.
With a relentless dedication to harrying their visitors, the home side consistently found pockets of space in dangerous areas, prompting Gerrard to make an honest assessment of the Reds' display and call for enhancements to be made.
"Moving forward, we know that we've got to improve," said the captain. "I've played many games during my career where we've battered teams from start to finish and come away with nothing, so football's a strange game at times. I'm sure the QPR players and Harry Redknapp are sitting in a state of shock.
"It was one of those games that could have gone either way and neither team could have had any complaints. But from our point of view, we've conceded two sloppy goals again and we're coming up against the best side in Europe [Real Madrid] over the next fortnight, so we need to address that."
