A Steven Caulker own goal deep into stoppage time capped off a remarkable spell of four goals in the final seven minutes and handed Liverpool a 3-2 victory over Queens Park Rangers at Loftus Road this afternoon.

The hosts had hit the woodwork twice and seen a shot cleared off the line during the first half, but were behind with a little over 20 minutes remaining when Richard Dunne turned the ball into his own net.

Eduardo Vargas equalised in the 87th minute to spark the goal frenzy, and the Chilean once again levelled the scores after Philippe Coutinho had restored his side's lead.

The drama was not over there, however, as Caulker put Raheem Sterling's cross into his own net following a late counter-attack from the visitors.

Here, Sports Mole takes an in-depth look at an incredible, action-packed afternoon in London.

Match statistics

QPR
Shots: 15
On target: 6
Possession: 44%
Corners: 7
Fouls: 10

Liverpool
Shots: 15
On target: 5
Possession: 56%
Corners: 2
Fouls: 15

Was the result fair?

This result is incredibly harsh on Queens Park Rangers, who created more than enough chances to have put the game to bed before half time. They could have easily been three goals to the good at the break and, with Liverpool playing as they were, there would have been no way back for the visitors.

Brendan Rodgers's side did improve during the second half, and it was a much more even affair after the interval. The Reds squandered their fair share of good chances as well, while their opening goal did not come against the run of play. Even so, the three points flatters them this afternoon, and Rodgers will know how lucky his side are to have come away with the win.

The manner of the defeat will be especially hard to take for Harry Redknapp and his players. Twice in the closing stages they thought that they had rescued a point, which they would have been happy with despite missing a host of chances, but to lose it so late and in such circumstances will be gutting for the hosts. A draw would not have been entirely unjust for Liverpool, but if anyone deserved to win today, it was QPR.

QPR's performance

So nearly the perfect performance for the hosts, there was just one thing missing - goals. Unfortunately for Redknapp, that is the most vital thing of all in football, and their failure to put the ball in the back of the net when they had the chances to do so has ended up costing them dearly.

That may sound strange considering that they finished the match having scored twice, but they should have been 3-0 up before half time, and then would have been able to comfortably see out the victory. In terms of the goals they conceded, the winner was desperately unlucky, but the other two were preventable.

The performance itself was very impressive, with Bobby Zamora causing the Liverpool defence countless problems and the midfield giving the visitors no time on the ball at all. That profligacy in the final third was the only down side, but it was a telling one. As a result, they remain rooted to the bottom of the table.

Liverpool's performance

It was a sluggish and laboured performance from the visitors today, particularly in the first half. They were second best in every department in the opening 45 minutes, losing all the 50-50s and failing to get to the second balls. QPR appeared want the win an awful lot more than the Reds, and Rodgers will know that his side could have been out of it by the interval.

Things did improve in the second half, but Liverpool were still far short of their best. They were fortunate to weather the QPR storm and slowly began to get themselves into the game, so much so that the opening goal had an air of inevitability about it in the end. They also showed great character to regain the lead twice in the closing stages, albeit in rather fortuitous circumstances.

Overall, Rodgers will be delighted to have come away with three points from this match, but he knows that a similar performance against Real Madrid in midweek would not go unpunished. If they allow Cristiano Ronaldo and company the same chances that they allowed QPR this afternoon, it could get embarrassing for Liverpool. Even so, it is often said that a mark of a top side is to win when you play badly, and that is exactly what Liverpool did today.

Sports Mole's man of the match

Bobby Zamora: This is a very tough award to dish out considering the frantic ending to the match. Sterling was instrumental in all three of Liverpool's goals, while Coutinho and Vargas both came off the bench to make a big difference.

However, despite the fact that he was not on the field during those closing stages, and that he ended up on the losing side, this one goes to Zamora, who was a nuisance all game for Liverpool. But for some better finishing from his teammates, the striker would have had a few assists to his name today and QPR would have won the game.

Dejan Lovren simply could not handle Zamora's strength, and the ball stuck every single time that they played it forward to him. It was quite the opposite of what Liverpool had with Mario Balotelli, and it proved to be an invaluable outlet. He eventually came off with just over 10 minutes remaining and did not deserve to be on the losing side.

Biggest gaffe

This was one of the most gaffe-filled games you will ever wish to see, so take your pick. Leroy Fer was guilty of missing a sitter in the first half, but his does not even compare to that of Balotelli, who blazed over in front of an open goal from just eight yards out to cap off a dreadful performance.

Then there are two own goals to speak of, although Caulker's could be classed more as unlucky than a mistake. Dunne's was most certainly a gaffe, though, while Yun Suk-young and Armand Traore should not be absolved of blame having turned their back on the ball and allowed Sterling to take a quick free kick.

Referee performance

Despite the drama going on around him, Phil Dowd had a fairly quiet afternoon today. There were not many major decisions for him to make, with perhaps the biggest being to correctly turn down a muted penalty appeal from Balotelli.

What next?

QPR: QPR will look to put an end to their poor run of results when they host Aston Villa next Monday.

Liverpool: Liverpool, meanwhile, will know that improvement is needed when they host Real Madrid in the Champions League at Anfield on Wednesday.