Liverpool move to fifth in Premier League after injury time own goal hands them QPR win

VIDEO: LIVERPOOL profited from an injury-time own goal to escape with a 3-2 win over QPR in one of the most chaotic ever finishes to an EPL game.

Liverpool's Italian striker Mario Balotelli reacts during the English Premier League football match between Queens Park Rangers and Liverpool at Loftus Road in London on October 19, 2014. AFP PHOTO / ADRIAN DENNIS RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or “live” services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications.

LIVERPOOL profited from an own goal in the fifth minute of injury time to escape with a 3-2 win over Queens Park Rangers after one of the more chaotic finishes to a Premier League game.

Four goals were scored in a pulsating final eight minutes at Loftus Road — the last unwittingly netted by Steven Caulker, who turned the ball into his own goal to gift Liverpool a fortunate victory.

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Philippe Coutinho celebrates his late goal.

A madcap finale began in the 67th minute when QPR defender Richard Dunne put Liverpool 1-0 ahead with his record-extending 10th own goal in the Premier League.

Liverpool’s second straight win left QPR in last place and increased the pressure on its manager Harry Redknapp.

Liverpool climbed to fifth in the standings after an error-strewn display that heightened the concerns about its brittle defence, particularly with back-to-back games against Real Madrid coming up in the Champions League.

“We’re coming up over the next fortnight against the best team in Europe and we have to defend better than that,” said Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard, who said he was in a “state of shock” after the crazy finish to the match.

The frantic nature of the closing stages may spare Mario Balotelli from criticism after another below-par display from the Italian striker, capped by a dreadful miss from about seven metres out in front of an empty goal in the 61st.

Raheem Sterling was inspirational for Liverpool.

Balotelli’s performance contrasted with that of Liverpool winger Raheem Sterling, who has been the subject of headlines in the British media this week for telling England manager Roy Hodgson that he was too tired to play an international game last weekend.

Sterling was ubiquitous against QPR, with his foraging runs upfield in added time helping set up Philippe Coutinho’s goal that made it 2-1 and then Caulker’s match-clinching intervention.

Sterling was also instrumental in the opening goal by playing a quick free kick to Glen Johnson, whose cross was deflected in by Dunne.

“It was great courage and cleverness from him today,” Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers said of Sterling.

Chile forward Eduardo Vargas equalised twice for QPR, first in the 87th minute with his first Premier League goal and again in the second minute of stoppage time with a header from a corner.

QPR is bottom on goal difference but manager Redknapp is defiant about his future at the club.

“I can’t do any more and there isn’t anyone (who) could do any better here at the moment than me, I don’t think,” Redknapp said.

The Loftus Road clash between QPR and Liverpool ended in bizarre circumstances.

Originally published as Liverpool move to fifth in Premier League after injury time own goal hands them QPR win