By John Sinnott BBC Sport

Luis Suarez scored the only goal against QPR as a dominant Liverpool avoided a fifth successive home draw and climbed to sixth in the table.

QPR kept the hosts out until 69 seconds into the second half when an unmarked Suarez headed in Charlie Adam's cross.

It was Suarez's first league goal since netting against Everton on 1 October - and comes in the week he was charged by the Football Association for a hand gesture made towards Fulham fans .

Radek Cerny made several superb saves.

But his team rarely threatened, except from corners, and almost conceded an own goal when Shaun Wright-Phillips hit the bar late on.

'Fantastic' Liverpool football delights Kenny Dalglish

Uruguayan Suarez, 24, had scored five goals for his country since his last Premier League strike.

But he has consistently been in the headlines as he faces a second FA charge relating to an alleged racial slur against Manchester United defender Patrice Evra  .

If the win kept Liverpool on the fringes of the race for the Champions League places, it also left nagging doubts about their stuttering home form, which has seen them draw with both title-chasing Manchester clubs but also Sunderland and the two sides promoted with QPR - Norwich and Swansea .

The game, and particularly the opening 45 minutes, gave a taster of why Kenny Dalglish's side have drawn so often this season and failed to secure more points at Anfield.

Liverpool dominated possession, won 10 corners, and created a reasonable number of chances - but rarely forced Cerny into serious action.

DID YOU KNOW?

  • Luis Suarez has scored as many goals for Uruguay this season - five - as he has in the Premier League for Liverpool

Maxi Rodriguez was the man most frequently denied by the Czech keeper but, in truth, he should have scored after he was sent clear by Dirk Kuyt's perceptive pass Cerny got down quickly to make a one-handed save from the Argentine's shot.

Just before the interval, Cerny's decision to stand up until the last possible moment proved the right one as Suarez tried to chip the ball into the net from an acute angle and the keeper palmed the ball away.

In first-half stoppage time he then moved quickly to his left to gather a Stewart Downing shot as QPR saw out the first phase of their containment operation at Anfield.

Suarez had frequently glimpsed goal in the first half but was unable to capitalise on his prodigious work-rate and unerring ability to find space.

He sent a free header straight at Cerny early on, miscued after being teed up by Maxi, and ended the half allowing the ball to flash past him, possibly due to a misunderstanding with Daniel Agger, who was in close proximity.

However all QPR's good work went to waste in the second minute after the restart when Suarez was left unmarked and the Uruguayan guided his header into the corner of the net from the edge of the six-yard box.

Warnock applauds Cerny display

QPR then lost Anton Ferdinand through injury but the visitors - Cerny in particular - continued to frustrate Liverpool.

The Rangers keeper threw himself to his left to tip Maxi's shot on to the post and then bravely denied the same player after the Argentine completed a one-two with Suarez.

With the clock running down, QPR forced a flurry of corners, one of which Reina was forced to clear from almost under his bar.

Liverpool might have had a second goal in stoppage time when Wright-Phillips almost scored an own goal as his defensive clearance from a Craig Bellamy centre hit the underside of the Rangers bar.

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish: "It was an excellent performance. We had a lot of chances and we got one (goal), they never got any.

"One is enough when the others don't get an opportunity and the players showed great courage and belief in what they are doing to continue doing what they were doing well which was pass and move and creating chances.

"Some of the football we played in the first half was brilliant and I think we played better before we scored than after it - but even then we still created a few."

QPR boss Neil Warnock: "We were superb. Luis Suarez was magnificent and it was appropriate the best player on the pitch scored - we lost him, but that is what good players do.

"We never really tested Pepe Reina but I couldn't fault anyone, and to have them biting their nails in the last 10 minutes was testament to the team.

"[Keeper] Radek Cerny is a top professional. He didn't deserve to be on the losing side."

Lineup, Bookings (2) & Substitutions (5)

Liverpool

  • 25 Reina
  • 02 Johnson
  • 03 Jose Enrique
  • 05 Agger Booked
  • 37 Skrtel
  • 11 Maxi (Bellamy - 78' Booked )
  • 14 Henderson
  • 19 Downing (Shelvey - 86' )
  • 26 Adam
  • 07 Suarez
  • 18 Kuyt

Substitutes

  • 32 Doni
  • 16 Coates
  • 23 Carragher
  • 34 Kelly
  • 33 Shelvey
  • 09 Carroll
  • 39 Bellamy

Queens Park Rangers

  • 24 Cerny
  • 06 Gabbidon
  • 13 Traore
  • 18 Young
  • 35 Ferdinand (Orr - 50' )
  • 11 Faurlin
  • 12 Mackie (Hill - 78' )
  • 17 Barton
  • 32 Wright-Phillips
  • 10 Bothroyd
  • 21 Smith (Campbell - 66' )

Substitutes

  • 43 Putnins
  • 02 Orr
  • 03 Hill
  • 16 Connolly
  • 04 Derry
  • 14 Buzsaky
  • 09 Campbell
Ref: Mason
Att: 45,016

Match Stats

Shots

21 6

On target

15 2

Corners

17 5

Fouls

12 5

Live Text Commentary

90:00 +3:31

The game is over, as the referee blows his whistle.

90:00 +3:11

Jordan Henderson gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Joey Barton. Radek Cerny restarts play with the free kick.

90:00 +2:01

Joey Barton takes a outswinging corner.

90:00 +1:52

The ball is crossed by Armand Traore, Sanchez Jose Enrique manages to make a clearance.

90:00 +0:09

Jonjo Shelvey decides to take a short corner.

89:48

Centre by Jonjo Shelvey, Joey Barton makes a clearance.

89:01

The referee blows for offside against Luis Suarez. Indirect free kick taken by Joey Barton.

88:31

Charlie Adam handles the ball and concedes a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Luke Young.

85:38 Substitution

Substitution Jonjo Shelvey joins the action as a substitute, replacing Stewart Downing.

84:55 Booking

Booking Craig Bellamy goes into the book for dissent.

83:13

Foul by Luke Young on Luis Suarez, free kick awarded. Craig Bellamy produces a strike on goal direct from the free kick.

79:35

Shaun Wright-Phillips has an effort at goal from outside the area missing to the wide right of the goal.

79:17

Jay Bothroyd takes a shot. Save by Jose Reina.

79:09

Bradley Orr crosses the ball, Dirk Kuyt manages to make a clearance.

78:26

Craig Bellamy challenges Armand Traore unfairly and gives away a free kick. Free kick taken by Joey Barton.

77:38 Substitution

Substitution Craig Bellamy joins the action as a substitute, replacing Rodriguez Maxi.

77:08 Substitution

Substitution Clint Hill replaces Jamie Mackie.

75:28

Corner taken right-footed by Joey Barton, Jose Reina makes a save.

74:13

Outswinging corner taken right-footed by Joey Barton from the right by-line to the near post, Charlie Adam manages to make a clearance.

73:49

Corner taken by Joey Barton from the left by-line, clearance by Martin Skrtel.

73:44

Armand Traore produces a cross, Charlie Adam manages to make a clearance.

73:23

Dirk Kuyt takes a shot. Alejandro Faurlin gets a block in.

71:53

Foul by Martin Skrtel on Jay Bothroyd, free kick awarded. The ball is delivered by Joey Barton, Daniel Gabbidon produces a right-footed shot from inside the six-yard box that clears the bar.

71:53

Free kick awarded for a foul by Martin Skrtel on Jay Bothroyd. The ball is sent over by Joey Barton, Close range shot by Jay Bothroyd clears the bar.

70:59

Martin Skrtel challenges DJ Campbell unfairly and gives away a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Joey Barton.

69:27

Alejandro Faurlin fouled by Dirk Kuyt, the ref awards a free kick. Radek Cerny restarts play with the free kick.

69:01

The ball is sent over by Sanchez Jose Enrique, Armand Traore manages to make a clearance.

68:26

Short corner taken by Stewart Downing.

68:15

Dirk Kuyt takes a shot. Daniel Gabbidon gets a block in.

67:37

Alejandro Faurlin gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Dirk Kuyt. Daniel Agger takes the free kick.

67:11

The ball is sent over by Jamie Mackie, clearance made by Martin Skrtel.

66:46

Rodriguez Maxi takes a shot. Save made by Radek Cerny.

64:30

Radek Cerny takes the free kick.

64:30 Substitution

Substitution (QPR) makes a substitution, with DJ Campbell coming on for Tommy Smith.

64:30

Corner taken right-footed by Jordan Henderson, Unfair challenge on Bradley Orr by Martin Skrtel results in a free kick.

63:54

Dirk Kuyt takes a shot. Radek Cerny makes a save.

63:14

Inswinging corner taken from the right by-line by Stewart Downing, save by Radek Cerny.

62:33

The offside flag is raised against Luis Suarez. Luke Young takes the indirect free kick.

61:50

Glen Johnson produces a left-footed shot from the edge of the box and misses to the left of the goal.

60:27

Outswinging corner taken left-footed by Charlie Adam, Jay Bothroyd makes a clearance.

60:13

Shot by Rodriguez Maxi from 12 yards. Save by Radek Cerny.

58:25

Centre by Charlie Adam, clearance by Armand Traore.

58:00

Outswinging corner taken from the left by-line by Charlie Adam.

56:42

Dirk Kuyt produces a right-footed shot from just outside the penalty box that misses to the left of the target.

55:00

Armand Traore delivers the ball, clearance made by Martin Skrtel.

51:22

Centre by Jordan Henderson.

49:32 Substitution

Substitution Bradley Orr is brought on as a substitute for Anton Ferdinand.

46:08

Charlie Adam provided the assist for the goal.

46:08 Goal scored

Goal - Luis Suarez - Liverpool 1 - 0 QPR Luis Suarez finds the back of the net with a headed goal from close in. Liverpool 1-0 QPR.

46:06

Charlie Adam delivers the ball,

45:42

Charlie Adam takes a outswinging corner from the left by-line played to the near post, Jay Bothroyd manages to make a clearance.

45:01

The match restarts for the second half.

45:00 +2:20

It is the end of the first-half.

45:00 +1:54

Stewart Downing takes a shot. Radek Cerny makes a save.

45:00 +1:22

Corner taken by Rodriguez Maxi from the left by-line, clearance made by Anton Ferdinand.

44:52

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Joey Barton by Charlie Adam. Luke Young takes the free kick.

44:35

Luis Suarez delivers the ball, Daniel Gabbidon manages to make a clearance.

44:11

Effort from long range by Alejandro Faurlin goes wide right of the target.

42:05

Luis Suarez produces a right-footed shot from deep inside the six-yard box which goes wide of the left-hand post.

41:35

Luis Suarez takes a shot. Radek Cerny gets a block in.

40:03

Long range shot by Shaun Wright-Phillips goes wide right of the goal.

38:00

Stewart Downing crosses the ball, Alejandro Faurlin manages to make a clearance.

37:34

Jordan Henderson delivers the ball, clearance by Luke Young.

34:57

Armand Traore fouled by Dirk Kuyt, the ref awards a free kick. Daniel Gabbidon restarts play with the free kick.

34:30

Centre by Charlie Adam, save by Radek Cerny.

33:42

Corner taken left-footed by Charlie Adam, Armand Traore manages to make a clearance.

32:45

Corner taken by Joey Barton played to the near post, clearance made by Charlie Adam.

32:40

The ball is sent over by Armand Traore, Glen Johnson gets a block in.

31:42

The referee blows for offside against Dirk Kuyt. Radek Cerny takes the free kick.

30:34

Inswinging corner taken by Stewart Downing, save by Radek Cerny.

30:10

Rodriguez Maxi takes a shot. Save by Radek Cerny.

29:24

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Joey Barton by Charlie Adam. Joey Barton takes the free kick.

28:45

Shot from just outside the box by Jordan Henderson misses to the right of the target.

28:12

Stewart Downing sends in a cross.

27:33

Stewart Downing takes the inswinging corner, clearance made by Daniel Gabbidon.

27:29

The ball is crossed by Stewart Downing, Armand Traore gets a block in.

25:26

Corner taken left-footed by Stewart Downing, Foul by Luis Suarez on Jay Bothroyd, free kick awarded. Direct free kick taken by Radek Cerny.

25:21

Stewart Downing delivers the ball, Armand Traore gets a block in.

23:13

Jay Bothroyd is penalised for handball and concedes a free kick. Jose Reina takes the direct free kick.

21:54

Jay Bothroyd fires a strike on goal direct from the free kick, Charlie Adam gets a block in.

21:54 Booking

Booking Daniel Agger is booked.

21:21

Free kick awarded for a foul by Daniel Agger on Jay Bothroyd.

20:34

Luis Suarez crosses the ball.

18:31

Shaun Wright-Phillips challenges Luis Suarez unfairly and gives away a free kick. Charlie Adam takes the free kick.

17:48

Inswinging corner taken by Charlie Adam from the right by-line.

16:48

Alejandro Faurlin challenges Stewart Downing unfairly and gives away a free kick. Charlie Adam has an effort direct from the free kick, blocked by Daniel Gabbidon.

16:26

Stewart Downing takes a short corner.

14:42

Luis Suarez produces a right-footed shot from deep inside the penalty box which goes wide of the left-hand post.

11:32

The ball is delivered by Luis Suarez.

11:17

Dirk Kuyt takes a shot. Blocked by Daniel Gabbidon.

10:42

Handball by Luis Suarez. Radek Cerny takes the direct free kick.

8:55

Stewart Downing crosses the ball, Luis Suarez takes a shot. Radek Cerny makes a save.

8:08

Free kick awarded for a foul by Jordan Henderson on Tommy Smith. Direct free kick taken by Daniel Gabbidon.

6:57

The referee penalises Jay Bothroyd for handball. Glen Johnson takes the free kick.

6:03

Foul by Jay Bothroyd on Charlie Adam, free kick awarded. Daniel Agger takes the direct free kick.

2:46

Inswinging corner taken left-footed by Charlie Adam from the right by-line to the near post, clearance by Armand Traore.

2:33

Rodriguez Maxi takes a shot. Blocked by Luke Young.

1:50

Inswinging corner taken by Charlie Adam, clearance by Anton Ferdinand.

1:36

Martin Skrtel takes a shot. Anton Ferdinand gets a block in.

1:29

The ball is delivered by Rodriguez Maxi, clearance by Alejandro Faurlin.

1:10

Corner taken by Charlie Adam, Radek Cerny makes a save.

0:49

Rodriguez Maxi takes a shot. Daniel Gabbidon gets a block in.

0:00

The game begins.

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