Liverpool 2 (Kuyt 14, 73)
Reading 0

Liverpool (4-4-2): Reina; Finnan, Riise, Carragher, Hyypia; Alonso, Gerrard (c), Pennant, Zenden (Gonzalez 66); Crouch (Sissoko 74), Kuyt (Fowler 87)
Subs: Martin, Agger

Reading (5-4-1): Hahnemann; Gunnarsson (Seol 80), Shorey, Ingimarsson (c), Sodje (Bikey 69), Sonko; Harper (Oster 88), Sidwell, Little, Hunt; Doyle
Subs: Federici, Long
Booked: Sidwell, Sodje

Ref: U Rennie

Attendance: 43, 741

Reading lost 2-0 to Liverpool this afternoon despite a spirited performance at Anfield.

The Royals started with a 5-4-1 formation to give themselves the best chance of a result, and they more than held their own for long periods.

Dirk Kuyt scored in either half to give Rafa Benitez's team victory, but just before both of the Dutchman's goals Reading had good chances to score themselves.

The Royals had their best spells at the beginning of both halves, but couldn't find a goal, despite some promising forward play, particularly from Glen Little.

After the second goal Liverpool were well on top, but Reading had certainly played their part in the game.


Full report
There was a cagey start to proceedings, but Reading settled in nicely. The Royals were soon on the front foot, and Stephen Hunt needed some treatment for a head injury after Jose Reina clattered into him.

They was an excellent chance for James Harper on seven minutes, but the midfielder's goalbound side-footer was blocked by Jamie Carragher.

From the resulting corner, Hunt hit a volley, and Sam Sodje seemed to have a half-chance but couldn't get a touch.

The Royals were made to pay for those misses with 13 minutes gone as Liverpool went ahead from their first shot on target. Steven Gerrard dinked a ball in for Peter Crouch, and the linesman correctly kept the flag down to allow him to nod down for Dirk Kuyt, who placed home simply as the offside trap was broken.

Reading then had to ride out a brief storm at the back, with Marcus Hahnemann producing a very good save from Sami Hyypia's header.

The Royals' 5-4-1 formation was allowing Liverpool plenty of possession, particularly at the back, but it was not easy for Rafa Benitez's men to get through.

Down the other end, Glen Little was looking an excellent outlet, and his trickery saw him put in a great cross that didn't quite drop for Kevin Doyle.

Reading had held their own throughout the half, but Kuyt twice had a sight of goal before just before the break, heading wide on both occasions.

90 seconds into the second half Reading had another good chance. LIttle broke to release Harper, who excellently skipped inside. His deep cross found Hunt, and the right-footed volley looked on, but it was a little behind him and the danger was cleared as he tried to chest down.

With 50 minutes gone ref Uriah Rennie had a big call to make in the Liverpool area as Sam Sodje went up with Gerrard. Both had their arms in the air, and the ball certainly hit Gerrard's arm, but Rennie ruled Sodje had fouled the Liverpool skipper.

Reading were enjoying a good spell, and Hunt's 30-yard mazy dribble almost produced a chance as the ball was hacked clear. Little's free kick was then just about headed clear by Gerrard as the Royals advanced.

Liverpool's fans were becoming frustrated as the Royals more than held their own, but Brynjar Gunnarsson almost gifted Crouch a great chance and the Icelander was relieved to see the flag go up.

Gerrard then went close to scoring at the Kop end but glanced his header wide from a right-wing corner.

Sub Andre Bikey almost made an immediate impact when he rose well to win Ibrahima Sonko's long throw, but Rennie gave a slightly generous, if expected, free kick for a foul on Reina.

Immediately though Liverpool doubled their lead as Pennant's corner creating a melee in the six-yard box. Hahnemann looked ready to gather, but Carragher perhaps just got a nick on it, and it bounced off the keeper's chest into Kuyt, who turned home from three yards.

Liverpool then went to 4-5-1 to shore up the game, bringing on Momo Sissoko for Crouch, who had been well shackled.

There were another couple of positive moments for Reading, with Reina failing to gather a cross, and sub Seol Ki-Hyeon then mishitting a volley when well placed.

The game opened up as Reading changed to 4-4-2 and looked for a goal, with Reds sub Mark Gonzalez breaking to shoot straight at Hahnemann.

Bikey then did well to snuff out another break, rising well to stop Robbie Fowler heading goalwards.

There were no more chances of note, and Reading had performed admirably for much of the game.