Saturday 2 May 2015 20:40, UK
Chris Ramsey insists QPR face a "massive task" to avoid relegation after Steven Gerrard’s late header condemned them 2-1 defeat to Liverpool at Anfield.
QPR fell behind to Philippe Coutinho’s first-half opener before Leroy Fer equalised midway through the second half, but Gerrard, who missed an 80th-minute penalty, headed home the winner with just three minutes remaining.
The R's are seven points from safety with just three games remaining but Ramsey has backed his side to fight until the end of the season.
“I feel for the players because they couldn’t have given anymore,” he said.
“But the top teams are at the top because they do have people that can finish of goals like Steven Gerrard did and we weren’t able to maintain that little bit of solidness right to the end.
I thought we were fantastic in the way we played and equipped ourselves but that doesn’t help when you let soft goals in. A point would have been handy but we really wanted to try and win the game today,” he added.
“It’s going to be very tough but while there are still points to be played for we’ve got an obligation to the fans and to the owners to try and get those nine points. The players have got pride in themselves and really want to try and overcome the deficit.”
Ramsey, who saw his side go down to 10 men late after Nedum Onuoha received two bookings, also bemoaned a lack of concentration from his team in the final 10 minutes of the game and believes his side’s season could be defined by their poor performances late on in games.
Ramsey, who takes his team to Manchester City next week, said: “We’ve let another point slip. From 80 minutes plus we’ve been poor at maintaining the concentration for those last few minutes in quite a few games.
“I think our season will end up boiling down to that if we’re not careful. Great corner, great goal but the boys are so deflated and disappointed with they played during the game, weathering many storms.
“We know we have a massive task in the next three games but I’m sure we’re up for it and we’ll be back at the Etihad next week.
Away from football, Ramsey believes QPR’s plight has been put into perspective following the death of Rio Ferdinad’s wife, Rebecca.
The QPR defender’s wife passed away on Friday night after a battle with cancer and both sides wore black armbands at Anfield, while Liverpool captain Gerrard passed on a bouquet of flowers to Joey Barton before kick-off.
“It puts things into perspective,” he added. “Rio’s been fantastic around the place even though his wife’s been ill for some time.
“Everybody at QPR’s thoughts are with him and I’m sure the football world will be with him today.”
