Brendan Rodgers praises Steven Gerrard after winner against QPR

​Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers was full of praise for Steven Gerrard after he grabbed the winner against QPR.

Gerrard had earlier missed a penalty at Anfield, but recovered to score late on in the 2-1 victory, and Rodgers led the plaudits for his inspirational captain.

"He is someone who responds to that," said Rodgers. "A lot of players crumble when they miss the penalty and it really affects them. But for him it inspires him to go that extra mile because he feels personally responsible for it."

Liverpool had taken a first-half lead through Philippe Coutinho, before QPR midfielder Leroy Fer pegged them back with just under 20 minutes to go.

Gerrard then missed a penalty before scoring his late winner, and Rodgers admitted his side made hard work of their victory.

"We made it difficult, we got an excellent goal to go in front and then had other chances to make it more comfortable.

"But at 1-0 it never is against a team who are good on set-pieces, and they took advantage of our defending at the corner.

"But the players showed the spirit coming back and we got the win we deserved in the end."

Just a few minutes before kick-off a plane flew over Anfield trailing the banner  'Rodgers out, Rafa in', in reference to former Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez.

"I thought it was Rafa's agent," joked Rodgers, who went on to defend his position.

"Football has short memories. We sat here last year and nearly won the league.

"I will continue to do my best here and that's all I'll ever do."