After flying high all of last season and challenging for the title under the very last day, things have not gone as well for Liverpool during the new season. The departure of Luis Suárez has weakened their attack, while the big money spent to bring in defensive help has not improved the team's play at the back. Brendan Rodgers finds his team sitting in 10th place, already 12 points back of the league leaders.
Queens Park Rangers vs. Liverpool live stream: How to watch EPL online, TV schedule and more
Liverpool look to get their Premier League ambitions back on track with a win over lowly QPR
The Reds have a chance to start turning things around though as they hit the road on Sunday to face Queens Park Rangers. QPR are last place, easily the worst team in the EPL and an early favorite to drop right back down to the Championship. They've managed just a four points from seven games, and have a staggering -11 goal differential which is the worst in the league by far.
If there was ever a truly winnable game for Liverpool, this is it. Anything other than three points for the Reds would be a massive disappointment and likely lead to some head shaking about the direction the club is going.
Key Player: Mario Balotelli (Liverpool)
With Sturridge injured again, Mario Balotelli is the man in the Liverpool attack. We all know he’s more than capable of being a dangerous goal scorer but the spotlight will be shining brightly on the Italian as fans will be demanding big performances from him. How he handles that pressure, how well his teammates are able to support him and provide quality service, will go a long way towards determining how successful the enigmatic striker will be.
Key Matchup: QPR vs. Self-inflicted problems
QPR shouldn’t be a horrible team. They aren’t title contenders or European place contenders either, but they aren’t this bad on paper. As we all know though, game aren’t played on paper, which is unfortunate for Harry Redknapp at this point. Their offense doesn’t produce enough chances, their defense is leaky, they just aren’t doing the things you have to do win. If they can light a fire under their butts, maybe that can change, but there’s no reason to believe that’s going to happen.
QPR injuries and suspensions
Out: Joey Barton (hamstring), Jordon Mutch (hamstring), Alejandro Faurlín (knee)
Liverpool injuries and suspensions
Out: Joe Flanagan (knee), Daniel Sturridge (thigh) In Doubt: Mamadou Sakho (thigh)
Liverpool's Daniel Sturridge was preparing to return from a thigh injury, only to suffer a new injury to his calf that could keep him sidelined for another month. Madame Sakho' trained this week after recovering from a thigh injury and could feature for the Reds. QPR are without Joey Barton and Jordon Mutch, both of whom are suffering form hamstring injuries that will keep this out until early next month.
Match Date/Time: Sunday, 1:30 p.m. local, 8:30 a.m. ET
Venue: Loftus Road, London, England
TV: NBCSN, Mun2 (U.S.), Sky Sports 1/HD (U.K.), TSN2, RDS 2 (Canada)
Online: NBC Live Extra, Deportes Telemundo En Vivo (U.S.), Sky Go (U.K.)
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