Harry Redknapp has escalated his war of words with Adel Taarabt, branding the QPR midfielder "the worst professional I have ever come across".
Rangers boss Redknapp has refused to relent on his comments after Sunday's 3-2 Liverpool defeat that Taarabt is "about three stone overweight".
Taarabt released pictures holding up his shirt in a bid to dispel Redknapp's jibes, claiming the former Tottenham boss has used him as a scapegoat for QPR's early-season troubles.
Redknapp in turn has said a bout of tonsillitis was the only way Taarabt has been able to shed some pounds, with persistent ankle troubles limiting him to just one appearance this term.
"The only reason he has lost weight is because he has had tonsillitis, that's the only way we could get any weight off of him," Redknapp told The Sun.
"He is not fit to play a game, that's the truth.
"He is the worst professional I have ever come across and I have been his only ally at QPR for the past three years.
"He doesn't try and I have protected him for too long.
"Even I could suck my stomach in for a picture and look OK."
Taarabt told the Daily Mail he has kept his weight at a level consistent with his loan spell at AC Milan last term.
"I don't like the food at the training ground, but eat healthily like every other player. Simple," he said.
'My heaviest weight at Milan was 86kg, my lightest 84kg - now I'm 85kg. It's not true to say I'm not fit.
"He tried to give an excuse."
Redknapp snapped in the post-match press conference after QPR's galling 3-2 Liverpool defeat on Sunday, launching his initial tirade against Taarabt.
Own goals from Richard Dunne and Steven Caulker gifted Liverpool an undeserved victory at Loftus Road, with Eduardo Vargas' two equalisers proving in vain for the hosts.
Leroy Fer twice struck the bar in the first half as QPR dominated the opening hour, only to slump to defeat to remain rooted to the bottom of the Premier League.
When quizzed on Taarabt's fitness on Sunday, Redknapp laid into the 25-year-old.
"He's not fit to play football unfortunately," said Redknapp after the Liverpool clash.
"I pick people that want to try, and deserve to be at a good football club like QPR, and want to work, and come in every day and want to work, and train, and show a good attitude.
"When he starts doing that, whether he ever can do it, maybe he'll get a game.
"I can't keep protecting people who don't want to run about and train, who are about three stone overweight.
"What am I supposed to keep saying, keep getting your 60, 70 grand a week but don't train?
"What's the game coming to?"
Source: PA
