Liverpool's Raheem Sterling ended a difficult week on a high as the teenager inspired his side's dramatic 3-2 win over QPR in an incredible finish featuring three goals in stoppage time at Loftus Road on Sunday.
Sterling had endured widespread derision after England manager Roy Hodgson revealed the Reds star had told him he was too tired to play in last weekend's Euro 2016 qualifier against Estonia.
The 19-year-old's commitment to his country and passion for the sport were subsequently questioned, but Sterling made a point to the critics as he played the entire 90 minutes at Loftus Road and produced two key contributions to seal the points for Brendan Rodgers's men.
With Hodgson watching from the stands, Sterling, who began his career as a QPR trainee, won a free-kick which led to Hoops defender Richard Dunne turning into the net for Liverpool's second-half opener.
That set the stage for an astonishing finale as Eduardo Vargas equalised with three minutes left, only for Philippe Coutinho to restore Liverpool's lead in the 90th minute.
Vargas levelled again in stoppage time, but Liverpool still emerged with three points thanks to Sterling, whose cross was deflected into his own net by QPR defender Steven Caulker with virtually the last kick of the match.
Not for the first time this season, Liverpool were well below their best for long periods, but somehow they were able to secure a morale-boosting victory ahead of Wednesday's crunch Champions League clash with Real Madrid.
Elsewhere, Jonathan Walters' first Barclays Premier League goal of the season completed a come-from-behind 2-1 victory for Stoke against Swansea at the Britannia Stadium.
Walters beat Lukasz Fabianski with a nicely executed header from fellow substitute Oussama Assaidi's cross in the 76th minute after each side had scored a contentious penalty in the first half.
The Potters fell behind in the 34th minute when Wilfried Bony hit the turf following a tussle with Ryan Shawcross at a corner and referee Michael Oliver awarded a spot-kick which the Swans striker dispatched himself.
Charlie Adam had previously levelled for Stoke with a penalty of his own.
