Harry Redknapp: 'Adel Taarabt is three stone overweight'

Queens Park Rangers manager Harry Redknapp has criticised Adel Taarabt's fitness, hinting that the Moroccan midfielder is "three stone overweight".

The 25-year-old was left out of the R's squad to face Liverpool this afternoon at Loftus Road, in a game that finished 3-2 to the Reds.

When asked about Taarabt's omission at a post-match press conference, Redknapp said: "He isn't fit. He played in a reserve game the other day and I could run more than he did.

"I can't protect players who don't want to run about, who can't train or are three stone overweight, getting 70 or 80 thousand pounds a week."

Taarabt spent the second half of last season on loan with AC Milan, but a permanent move fell through.