Superlatives have been in short supply for Luis Suarez of late.
The Liverpool striker's Premier League goal drought, which had spanned in excess of two months, was only outweighed and exasperated by more than its fair share of controversy.
Not since his effort against Everton at the beginning of October had the striker found the net and against a backdrop of controversy and unsettling familiarity for the Anfield crowd.
The Football Association charged the Uruguayan with improper conduct following Monday's defeat to Fulham but they will struggle to summon him over his latest hand gesture.
He punched the air with delight after punishing Queens Park Rangers' slack defending to head home a Charlie Adam cross just minutes after the interval to secure maximum points.
It was a fine finish from a player whose ability to strike fear into the heart of Premier League defences has fast become an impossible task in the face of intense shackling.
And since Suarez's strike at Goodison Park, Norwich and Swansea have both come away from the red half of Merseyside with a point for their efforts against their profligate hosts.
Gone are the days when opposing players would be handed a reem of toilet roll by Bill Shankly or exposed to scenes of intimidation as they entered the stadium by a volatile home crowd.
Indeed, Anfield's fortress has eroded to such an extent over time that the prospect of Liverpool failing to vanquish any newly-promoted sides at home appeared quite distinct.
The first half possessed an unerring feeling of deja-vu for the Kop with chances aplenty remaining unfulfilled despite an overriding dominance with Maxi Rodriguez at the fore.
Rangers' inability to breach Pepe Reina's goal until the 41st minute was further testament to the control Kenny Dalglish's side had assumed of the game from the offset.
The Argentine's love-hate relationship with West London clubs was revived after missing out on the defeat at Craven Cottage, which had stolen most of the footballing headlines this week.
Suarez's shot from the narrowest of angles flew across the face of Radek Cerny's goal and under the goalkeeper but could not find its way across the line.
Stewart Downing's low cross previously had provided him with a far easier chance but the unmarked Uruguayan headed low and into the arms of the untroubled Czech stopper.
He found himself on the receiving end of an equally gilt-edged chance after Maxi was afforded acres of space to bear on the Hoops' goal but his lay-off was spurned staggeringly wide.
But they were not alone in excelling as Jordan Henderson and Charlie Adam formed a solid partnership at the heart of midfield to more than compensate for Lucas Leiva's loss.
Adam, in particular, gave a sterling account of himself on his 26th birthday, storming past a throng of QPR defenders and into to the penalty area but, eventually, to no avail.
For all the anticipated scrutiny of match official following a collective assault by Dalglish and his Premier League peers on the FA's rigid disciplinary procedures, Lee Mason proved that old habits die hard as he waved away two penalty appeals in the first half.
A foul by Alejandro Faurlin should have resulted in a spot kick for the home side but Suarez's previous instances of histrionics may have factored in Lee Mason's decision to wave play on.
Liverpool were in danger of allowing Cerny to follow in the footsteps of John Ruddy and Michel Vorm in frustrating their front line as Downing fed Suarez again for another saved shot.
The pattern was repeated after Suarez's goal when he and Maxi linked up well with some neat one-two play before the latter saw his shot spilled onto the post by the veteran goalkeeper.
Liverpool's South American contingent has proven a vital catalyst to reviving the attractive brand of football which further enamoured the Kop with its returning hero Dalglish last season.
Neil Warnock's side threatened to upset the odds but could only see Jay Bothroyd fire a Joey Barton free kick high and wide of goal.
But their momentum built and they placed the previously unharmed Reina under intense pressure during the final minutes of the game while LIverpool continued to press.
Their second-highest scorer in the league this season has been own goals and Shaun Wright-Phillips almost extended that tally to four when his interception of a Craig Bellamy cross rattled against the crossbar in the dying minute of stoppage time.
Above all, this was a much-needed win for Liverpool, who had previously not won at Anfield since a 2-0 triumph over Wolves in September, when Suarez last scored on home soil.
It does, however, pose the question as to whom the mantle will fall to remedy Liverpool's chronic lack of finishing. With only a matter of weeks before the transfer window re-opens, Dalglish may need to consider investing in a short-term goal poacher if his side are to secure fourth place.
LIVERPOOL (4-4-1-1): Reina, Johnson, Skrtel, Agger, Enrique; Maxi (Bellamy 78), Henderson, Adam, Downing (Shelvey 86); Kuyt; Suarez. Subs (not used): Doni, Kelly, Carragher, Coates, Carroll.
QPR (4-4-2): Cerny; Gabbidon, Ferdinand (Orr 50), Young, Traore; Faurlin, Wright-Phillips, Barton, Mackie (Hill 78); Smith (Campbell 66), Bothroyd. Subs (not used): Connolly, Buzsaky, Derry, Putnins.
Goals: Suarez (47)
Booked: Agger, Bellamy
Attendance: 45,016
Referee: Lee Mason (Lancashire)
The Liverpool striker's Premier League goal drought, which had spanned in excess of two months, was only outweighed and exasperated by more than its fair share of controversy.
The Football Association charged the Uruguayan with improper conduct following Monday's defeat to Fulham but they will struggle to summon him over his latest hand gesture.
He punched the air with delight after punishing Queens Park Rangers' slack defending to head home a Charlie Adam cross just minutes after the interval to secure maximum points.
It was a fine finish from a player whose ability to strike fear into the heart of Premier League defences has fast become an impossible task in the face of intense shackling.
And since Suarez's strike at Goodison Park, Norwich and Swansea have both come away from the red half of Merseyside with a point for their efforts against their profligate hosts.
Indeed, Anfield's fortress has eroded to such an extent over time that the prospect of Liverpool failing to vanquish any newly-promoted sides at home appeared quite distinct.
The first half possessed an unerring feeling of deja-vu for the Kop with chances aplenty remaining unfulfilled despite an overriding dominance with Maxi Rodriguez at the fore.
Rangers' inability to breach Pepe Reina's goal until the 41st minute was further testament to the control Kenny Dalglish's side had assumed of the game from the offset.
The Argentine's love-hate relationship with West London clubs was revived after missing out on the defeat at Craven Cottage, which had stolen most of the footballing headlines this week.
Suarez's shot from the narrowest of angles flew across the face of Radek Cerny's goal and under the goalkeeper but could not find its way across the line.
Stewart Downing's low cross previously had provided him with a far easier chance but the unmarked Uruguayan headed low and into the arms of the untroubled Czech stopper.
He found himself on the receiving end of an equally gilt-edged chance after Maxi was afforded acres of space to bear on the Hoops' goal but his lay-off was spurned staggeringly wide.
But they were not alone in excelling as Jordan Henderson and Charlie Adam formed a solid partnership at the heart of midfield to more than compensate for Lucas Leiva's loss.
Adam, in particular, gave a sterling account of himself on his 26th birthday, storming past a throng of QPR defenders and into to the penalty area but, eventually, to no avail.
For all the anticipated scrutiny of match official following a collective assault by Dalglish and his Premier League peers on the FA's rigid disciplinary procedures, Lee Mason proved that old habits die hard as he waved away two penalty appeals in the first half.
A foul by Alejandro Faurlin should have resulted in a spot kick for the home side but Suarez's previous instances of histrionics may have factored in Lee Mason's decision to wave play on.
Liverpool were in danger of allowing Cerny to follow in the footsteps of John Ruddy and Michel Vorm in frustrating their front line as Downing fed Suarez again for another saved shot.
The pattern was repeated after Suarez's goal when he and Maxi linked up well with some neat one-two play before the latter saw his shot spilled onto the post by the veteran goalkeeper.
Liverpool's South American contingent has proven a vital catalyst to reviving the attractive brand of football which further enamoured the Kop with its returning hero Dalglish last season.
Neil Warnock's side threatened to upset the odds but could only see Jay Bothroyd fire a Joey Barton free kick high and wide of goal.
But their momentum built and they placed the previously unharmed Reina under intense pressure during the final minutes of the game while LIverpool continued to press.
Their second-highest scorer in the league this season has been own goals and Shaun Wright-Phillips almost extended that tally to four when his interception of a Craig Bellamy cross rattled against the crossbar in the dying minute of stoppage time.
Above all, this was a much-needed win for Liverpool, who had previously not won at Anfield since a 2-0 triumph over Wolves in September, when Suarez last scored on home soil.
It does, however, pose the question as to whom the mantle will fall to remedy Liverpool's chronic lack of finishing. With only a matter of weeks before the transfer window re-opens, Dalglish may need to consider investing in a short-term goal poacher if his side are to secure fourth place.
LIVERPOOL (4-4-1-1): Reina, Johnson, Skrtel, Agger, Enrique; Maxi (Bellamy 78), Henderson, Adam, Downing (Shelvey 86); Kuyt; Suarez. Subs (not used): Doni, Kelly, Carragher, Coates, Carroll.
QPR (4-4-2): Cerny; Gabbidon, Ferdinand (Orr 50), Young, Traore; Faurlin, Wright-Phillips, Barton, Mackie (Hill 78); Smith (Campbell 66), Bothroyd. Subs (not used): Connolly, Buzsaky, Derry, Putnins.
Goals: Suarez (47)
Booked: Agger, Bellamy
Attendance: 45,016
Referee: Lee Mason (Lancashire)
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