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After his woeful performance in Liverpool's 3-2 win at Queens Park Rangers today, Mario Balotelli drew comparison with the much-maligned Emile Heskey. But how do the players compare after their first nine matches in a Liverpool shirt?
In his nine matches for Brendan Rogders' side, Balotelli has netted just the once - in the Champions League group stage match against Ludogorets last month.
In Heskey's first nine matches, he had scored treble the amount.
The former England international scored three goals in his his first nine matches for Liverpool, after signing for the club for £11m in March 2000 from Leicester City.
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
Heskey would go on to score 60 goals in a total of 223 matches for the Reds before being sold to Birmingham City for an initial £3.5m in 2004.
The 36-year-old is currently unattached after leaving the Newcastle Jets in Australia.
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