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Liverpool vs Real Madrid: Liverpool must not have 'any fear' about facing Cristiano Ronaldo, says Alan Kennedy

Liverpool's 1981 European Cup winner says there is no other player like the Real Madrid striker

Monday 20 October 2014 18:23 BST

Real Madrid striker Cristiano Ronaldo (GETTY IMAGES)

Liverpool's 1981 European Cup winner Alan Kennedy believes Cristiano Ronaldo is to Real Madrid what Kenny Dalglish and Graeme Souness were to the Reds' all-conquering side.

The Portugal international arrives on Merseyside for Wednesday's Champions League tie having just broken a 71-year-old La Liga record by scoring 15 goals in the first eight matches of the season.

While he is the player opponents have to worry most about, Kennedy - who scored the only goal as the Reds beat Madrid in the final at Parc de Princes 33 years ago - said in his day Liverpool had players whom worried their rivals.

"Ronaldo is that type of player. Is there anyone the equivalent of Ronaldo?" he told Press Association Sport.

"Looking back they (opponents) will say 'They had Dalglish and Souness'. Souness and Dalglish did it in my day.

"Souness was a player everyone admired and players who played alongside him will say he was the most influential player on the pitch because he was a leader, he wanted success.

"Ronaldo is slightly different. Although he has worked hard to play within the team, when he gets the ball he does excite everyone and that is what Dalglish did.

"Liverpool players have not got to have any fear about it, but have to be wary this guy can do anything with the ball."

Brendan Rodgers' side face back-to-back matches against the reigning European champions, who collected their 10th crown last May, and need to get something out of them having dropped to third in Group B with defeat against Basle last time out.

"It is a competition that is synonymous with Liverpool," he said of the five-time winners.

"Liverpool want to progress as far as they can and they have to pick up points against all the teams."

QPR 2 Liverpool 3 player ratings

Show all 22

1/22QPR 2 Liverpool 3 player ratings

QPR 2 Liverpool 3 player ratings

QPR: Alex McCarthy

Did a solid job deputising for Rob Green – little he could do about any of Liverpool’s goals. 6/10

QPR 2 Liverpool 3 player ratings

Nedum Onuoha

Hardly tested during the first half before going off with an injury. 6

QPR 2 Liverpool 3 player ratings

Richard Dunne

At fault for the Reds’ opener – didn’t adjust his feet quickly enough and turned Sterling’s effort into his own goal. 5

QPR 2 Liverpool 3 player ratings

Steven Caulker

Scored the match-winning goal… at the wrong end. Unfortunate, having worked hard to keep his side in touch as Liverpool threatened to run away with the game having gone 1-0 up. 5

QPR 2 Liverpool 3 player ratings

Yun Suk-Young

Solid performance apart from losing concentration for Liverpool’s opener – defended capably and provided width down the left as QPR dominated the first half – should keep his starting place. 6

QPR 2 Liverpool 3 player ratings

Mauricio Isla

A real threat down the right in the first half, forced to move backwards by Onuoha’s withdrawal at half-time. 6

QPR 2 Liverpool 3 player ratings

Karl Henry

Bullish performance in the centre of midfield. Bullied his more illustrious opponents at times. 7

QPR 2 Liverpool 3 player ratings

Sandro

Influential for 60 minutes before going off injured – his departure coincided with Liverpool taking control of the game. 7

QPR 2 Liverpool 3 player ratings

Leroy Fer

Should have given his side the lead in the first half as he twice hit the bar with great chances – aside from that played well. 6

QPR 2 Liverpool 3 player ratings

Bobby Zamora

The captain’s physicality was a threat to the Liverpool defence right from the opening moment – laid on chances for Austin and Fer that should have been taken. 8

QPR 2 Liverpool 3 player ratings

Charlie Austin

A threat to the Liverpool defence throughout, could have got himself on the score sheet, but did well to set up Vargas’ first. 7

QPR 2 Liverpool 3 player ratings

Liverpool: Simon Mignolet

Another shaky performance – made some good saves but looked extremely vulnerable at times. 5/10

QPR 2 Liverpool 3 player ratings

Glen Johnson

Looked a little rusty on his return to the starting XI from injury – helped prevent a goal with some last ditch defending in the first half and crossed for Dunne’s own goal. 6

QPR 2 Liverpool 3 player ratings

Martin Skrtel

The enforcer of Liverpool’s back four was completely bullied by Zamora and can count himself fortunate (or unfortunate) if he keeps his starting place against Real Madrid on Wednesday. 5

QPR 2 Liverpool 3 player ratings

Dejan Lovren

Unable to handle the inspired Zamora until he went off – unconvincing. 5

QPR 2 Liverpool 3 player ratings

Jose Enrique

Caused a lot of trouble by Isla in the first half – unable to impact the game going forward. 5

QPR 2 Liverpool 3 player ratings

Jordan Henderson

One of few Liverpool players who could be reasonably satisfied with his performance. His mixture of effort and quality helped to keep the Reds in the game as they struggled in the first half. 7

QPR 2 Liverpool 3 player ratings

Emre Can

Making his first Premier League start, the German U21 international failed to stamp his authority on the game and was replaced by Joe Allen soon after the hour mark. 5

QPR 2 Liverpool 3 player ratings

Raheem Sterling

It wasn’t his finest game, but his decisive impact speaks for itself. Played a part in all of Liverpool’s goals and can now looking forward to taking on Real Madrid on Wednesday. 7

QPR 2 Liverpool 3 player ratings

Steven Gerrard

Pushed into a more advanced role in the first half, he was anonymous until almost giving his side the lead just before the break – a bit better when dropping deeper in the second half. 5

QPR 2 Liverpool 3 player ratings

Adam Lallana

Gradually working his way back to full fitness, the England man struggled to get involved during the first half but his shot did lead to Balotelli’s big chance. Went off soon after the hour mark. 5

QPR 2 Liverpool 3 player ratings

Mario Balotelli

He didn’t deserve to be on the winning side. Spurned two great opportunities and generally didn’t look after possession very well. 4

He added: "They will be disappointed against Basle and against Ludogorets they scored with virtually the last kick of the game."

PA

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