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[Steve Russell]

QPR (1) – Liverpool (1) – ‘Scare for the Champs’
Football League Division One

Team: Parkes, Clement, Gillard, Hollins, McLintock, Webb, Thomas, Francis, Masson,
Eastoe, Givens
Attendance: 29,832

League leaders Liverpool travelled to Loftus Road on 7th May 1977 to take on a Rangers
side languishing in the bottom five. Reg Dury’s match report appeared in the News of the World
the following day:

‘Liverpool moved a point nearer the league title and the treble with manager Bob Paisley
admitting: “At one stage I’d have settled for a 1-0 defeat!”

Paisley explained that apparently defeatist attitude by adding: “QPR were so much on top in
the first-half we were lucky to be only one-down at the interval. So, I was concerned with
preserving our superior goal-difference over Manchester City.”

But Liverpool, unbeaten now for 14 games, came storming back to equalise after dominating
the second-half.

Three points from their remaining three games will make absolutely sure of championships in
successive seasons, something no club has done for 18 years.

At the final whistle Paisley was happy to pay this tribute to Rangers: “They may have had a bad
season, but on their day they’re as good as any side in the First Division.”

It seemed it would be one of those days for Rangers when they ran a ponderous Liverpool ragged
in a one-sided first-half.

Top scorer Don Givens shot Rangers into a 10th minute lead after John Hollins, Gerry Francis and
Peter Eastoe had combined to set up the chance.

Then, with 32 minutes gone, Givens blotted his copybook by missing a “sitter” which could have
put the result beyond doubt.

Liverpool ‘keeper Ray Clemence was left groping by a terrific Peter Eastoe shot which rebounded
from a post. Givens, with the goal gaping, clipped the outside of the other post when it seemed
easier to score.

That could have settled it, for a couple of minutes earlier Phil Parkes had stopped a Kevin Keegan
shot at point-blank range.

A minute later Fairclough was replaced by substitute Ian Callaghan with Jimmy Case pushing up
into attack. It was a gamble which paid a 68th minute dividend when Keegan headed on a
Ray Kennedy cross for Case to equalise.

Skipper Gerry Francis had an impressive match, despite hurting an ankle in the closing stages,
and should be fit to continue in an unchanged side at Derby on Wednesday.
Johnson
for one place in the line-up.’

Dave Sexton said after the game: “It’s a pity we didn’t get that second goal because we didn’t
Liverpool injuries are mending as well. Steve Heighway will be back at Coventry on Tuesday,
while Paisley is hopeful that Phil Thompson and John Toshack will be available for the
European Cup Final.

Neither will be considered for the FA Cup Final with Manchester United. Paisley has enough
problems on his plate for Wembley in deciding between Callaghan, Fairclough and David put
our game together in the second-half.”

This result put Rangers third from bottom, but they had games in hand on a number of clubs
above them.

Supporters Club coaches were scheduled to leave for Derby at 2.30pm the following Wednesday
and there was also a ‘Rangers Special’ departing from St. Pancras at 16.01.

QPR went on to lose 0-2 at the Baseball Ground.