Reds flushed by Royals

Sigurdsson and Long dump out sorry Liverpool

Last updated: 14th January 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Reds flushed by Royals

Long celebrates his winner

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Shane Long's extra-time goal gave Reading a deserved 2-1 victory over Liverpool in their FA Cup third-round replay at Anfield.

Gylfi Sigurdsson's injury-time penalty forced the game into extra-time to cancel out Ryan Bertrand's unfortunate own goal on the stroke of half-time.

Long came off the bench to win the penalty after being kicked by Yossi Benayoun inside the box and Sigurdsson coolly slotted the ball past Diego Cavalieri, sending the reserve goalkeeper the wrong way from the spot.

Reading grabbed the winner 10 minutes into the first period of extra-time when Brynjar Gunnarsson skipped past Benayoun and nutmegged Emiliano Insua before sending a cross over for Long to head home from six yards.

To make matters worse on a miserable night for Rafa Benitez he saw star duo Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard forced off with knocks.

The Royals were quick to make their presence felt with some uncompromising tackling. Matthew Mills got away with a warning for clattering into Torres, before Jem Karacan was booked for flattening Gerrard in the first four minutes.

And although Liverpool had the majority of the early possession, Cavalieri had to make a fine save from Sigurdsson's free-kick, then a shot on the turn from Simon Church.

Dirk Kuyt needed treatment following a fierce challenge by Bertrand, before Reading should have taken the lead after 22 minutes when Church's cross was allowed to reach the far post - where Grzegorz Rasiak missed the target from three yards.

Problems worsened

Liverpool's problems worsened after 29 minutes when Torres went off, replaced by David Ngog. The Spanish international had never really recovered from that early bodycheck from Mills and headed straight down the tunnel with Liverpool doctor, Mark Waller, for treatment seemingly to a knee injury.

The home side, at best, were aimless, but did manage to put together a 40th-minute move which almost bore fruit. Philipp Degen's strong angled run to the edge of the box produced a pass for Benayoun, who curled a shot narrowly wide.

Mills was booked for a foul on Benayoun before Liverpool grabbed a fortunate lead when Gerrard's angled shot clipped Bertrand and deceived Adam Federici at the near post.

Liverpool's troubles worsened when Gerrard failed to appear after the break, Ryan Babel coming on to join Ngog up front. The Liverpool skipper was believed to have suffered a hamstring strain.

With both talismen off the pitch and injured, it was left to Liverpool's supporting cast to get through this tie.

Degen was booked for diving by referee Phil Dowd, having fallen in the box but without a hint of an appeal.

Liverpool's response to their adversity was surprisingly positive, and they pinned Reading back, with the visitors bringing on midfielder Brian Howard for Kalifa Cisse on the hour.

Next on for Reading was Jimmy Kebe for Rasiak five minutes later - and someone they were still ahead after 80 minutes when McAnuff ran 60-yards right through Liverpool's defence before sidefooting wide from 12 yards with only Cavalieri to beat.

Reading continued to press for an equaliser, and Church sent a free header over the bar from 10 yards with five minutes left.

Penalty

But Reading got their reward when Benayoun was adjudged to have clipped Long's heels, and Sigurdsson stepped up to fire home the penalty which took the tie into extra-time.

Emiliano Insua's run created a chance for Babel to force Federici into a low save, but it was still Reading looking the more confident.

And they stunned the Kop by taking the lead after 100 minutes. Gunnarsson pushed the ball between Insua's legs on the right and crossed for Long to head home from close range.

Liverpool tried to respond, but even when Benayoun was clear, he could only manage a weak shot that Federici saved with his legs.

The second period of extra-time saw Liverpool struggle desperately to save themselves. But their nervous play was riddled with mistakes and terrible passing.

Jamie Carragher, Babel and Ngog all had shots which failed to trouble Federici, and Reading more than deserved their victory.

LiverpoolTeam StatisticsReading
1Goals2
11st Half Goals0
4Shots on Target6
7Shots off Target6
6Blocked Shots2
9Corners2
18Fouls15
3Offsides4
1Yellow Cards4
0Red Cards0
73.3Passing Success56.9
24Tackles34
75Tackles Success70.6
65.7Possession34.3
54.5Territorial Advantage45.5

Comments (57)

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Eoin Mccarthy (Liverpool fan) says...

First and foremost, i want to say well done to Reading, they fully deserved the win. They had hunger and passion which we severely lacked throughout the whole game and perhaps, the whole of this season. In my opinion, our squad is the one of the weakest in the premiership...outside our first choice 11, we are left with average players with no heart, just attitudes. Herein lies the problem, Rafa and his badly judged wheeling and dealing, and the American Owners who are running this great club into ruin. It doesnt give me any satisfaction to see Utd also struggling, as our plight is worse than ever. Dirk Kuyt was bought as a striker, yet plays on the right, Ryan Babel was bought as a striker, and plays on the wings (if he gets on!) and Aquilani just hasnt caught up to Premier League pace yet. Yes we got rid of awful signings in Voronin and Dossena, but where are the replacements?? I cant see this situation improving...something has to give! A very disheartened Pool fan!

Posted 15:45 14th January 2010

Jimmy Brown says...

Rafa has brought a lot of success to Liverpool over the years, but he's lost the dressing room. The main problem with Liverpool is they've bought alot of mediocre players, instead of every year buying one or two world class players that will help strengthen their team, Gerrard and Torres are the only 2 world class players they have, and both are reguarly injured lately, where is the cover for them? I dont believe Liverpool will finish in the top 6 this season.

Posted 15:45 14th January 2010

Dennis Smedts (Arsenal fan) says...

Rafa just needs to resign, it's as simple as that. He has no more honour to save. He wasted so much money, put the club in to more and more debt. His tactics are all wrong, his transfer policy is even worse. Chelsea and Man United also spent alot of money, but they but players that add to the squad and performance on the pitch. Arsenal buy exactly the right players for their team. Rafa buys strikers (Kuyt and Babel) and plays them as wide midfielders. Gerrard has played almost every position possible by now, and Liverpool do have quality players but their balance is all wrong. A new manager would add something fresh in the dressing room and give the players the chance they deserve.

Posted 14:58 14th January 2010

Steve Russell (Liverpool fan) says...

Why do I keep hearing there is no viable alternative to Rafa when clearly the last truly successful Liverpool manager is under the board's nose:one Kenny-legend-Dalglish. Just tell him we want the pass and move football of the 70's and 80's back. And before we hear the usual nonsense about how the game has moved on - are teams really playing more sophisticated football than the Barnes,Beardsley Aldridge era?-don't think so. Is the game really that much faster today?-then watch Everton V Bayern Munich (European cup-winners cup semi-fnal 1985) or the Man Utd V Liverpool FA cup semi-finals of 1985. No slouches here. No,the truth is all about bringing in intelligent skilful footballers as opposed to super-fit athletes who are all very well at keeping shape and spoiling but really expose their frailties when it comes to attacking play where guile,cunning and eye-of-a-needle passes are required. Bring back Kenny, give him the money for quality signings and let's have the old Liverpool way back.

Posted 14:51 14th January 2010

Ian Allen (Liverpool fan) says...

I was there last night. Its the first time i have had to bite my tongue to prevent myself from screaming abuse at our own players. Not one of them wanted to win that game last night. Complacent and out of ideas. I have always backed RAFA but we do need a change at the end of the season. There are far too many strange tactical decisions going on. Does he instruct Carragher to play long ball after long ball?? Ngog had no chance with that service. Even if he controlled the ball, 5 Reading players were on him. This is a very very very very very bad season. To Billy Foz, we are not that desperate to play at Wembley, we won one of our 5 European Cups there mate. PS can you send me a pic of Everton winning the FA cup in 1995, my friends has decomposed. Cheers.

Posted 13:51 14th January 2010

Ryan Turnill (West Ham United fan) says...

Given the current state of finances at liverpool. Its hard to see a big name manager wanting to come in and do the job. Normally Liverpool would be seen as a great challange but at the moment i cant see any of the big name managers taking the job as they would have no transfer budget. having said that rafa has spent around £300 million and the majority of his signings have been dross. He has been backed by the board and 90% of premiership managers given that cash would have done a better job. Ok he got in Torres but lets face it, anyone who had watched the kid play knew he was going to be a superstar. I also hear all the liverpool fans moaning about the owners and to be fair, they are well within their rights to do so but who would want to buy the club? with costs spiralling out of control and the need to move to a new ground is any new invester likely to see any profit from his investment, and lets face it, to these people in the game now it is about the money. Another snag that the club would have is with rafa being on such a long term contract that sacking him would cost a fortune to sack him, and lets face it, he wont jump ship, we all know how stuburn he is. But having said that, maybe its just time for a "changing of the guard" at the top. Most people felt it would be Arsenal who would drop out with the likes of villa,spurs & man city being so strong, but maybe its the reds who will drop out of the so called big 4.

Posted 13:22 14th January 2010

Bernard Legair (Manchester City fan) says...

Why are you Liverpool fans so loyal to a man out of his depth, Liverpool have always been a team that you respected when you played them. Now teams every where know, have a go you can win. Liverpool have spent the same as Man City (£250m) since Rafa has been there. Other than Torres name a world class buy? I have never liked his Spainish Mentality for English Football it doen't work. Break a tradition and sack him, the way its going you wont make Europa league next year, let alone your slim chance at the Champions League. Man City, Aston Villa and Spurs have strong squads than Liverpool. You have two hard games coming up Stoke away which no one fancies and Spurs a top 4 contender. 5 points behind Champions League spot, 4 points behind Europa Spot you could be out of it by next Wednesday Night. Do yourselves and a proud club a favour, bite the bullet, sack him and let Kenny Dalgish manage until the end of the season, that one Scotsman who'd kick a few under performing backsides.

Posted 13:04 14th January 2010

Gareth Mcnaughton says...

It looks as if the players are becoming disillusioned with Rafas man-management and tactics and although im grateful for what hes acheived at Anfield its only a matter of time before the very few top players we've got at our disposal will want moves so i think his position must be reviewed at the end of the season but i suppose it depends on if we can afford to let him go finacially. i think the board have to be more vocal as to where this great club are heading as us the fans are not getting many answers and we need a lot NOW!!

Posted 11:17 14th January 2010

James Mann (Liverpool fan) says...

I have always been a Rafa fan, but over the course of this season he appears to have lost everyone who once backed him. He has assembled a squad full of average players who look out of there depth playing in the Premier league like Lucas, Degen, Insua, Babel, Voronin, Ngog, the list goes on and on. He has spent nearly £300m on players and still ended up with a small over-stretched and weak squad. I wouldn't always mind so much if the players looked like they wanted to fight for Rafa, but they don't. Did anyone see Rafa standing on the sidelines screaming and encouraging his players last night?? I certainly didn't. They wanted and needed someone to give them a boost, a bout of adrenaline to kick on get an equaliser but he had nothing to offer them except the occasional wave of an arm presumably about some obscure tactic that will make no difference at all. As much as we love you for 2005, i think the time has come for a change.

Posted 11:09 14th January 2010

Paul Smith says...

Awful performance - out fought and outplayed - there is a total lack of pace in the side - I think Deggen has to play more thus freeing up Johnson to either move to Centre back or wide right of midfield - get a bid in for Scot Parker to play with Mascher and maybe even Upson to add a bit of steel to the centre of defence (Agger and Skertel have both gone backwards and Carra looks shot!!) and get rid of Insua - why oh why did Rafa ever let John Arne go we have never replaced him - Premiership will always be to fast for both Lucas and Aquillani so off load them to Spain or Italy - I would also consider offers for Gerrard as I cannot see him ever being 100pct fit again !!

Posted 11:08 14th January 2010

Billy Fozz (Everton fan) says...

They're gonna move the 3rd round games to Wembley like they did with the semis..... So asto give liverpool a chance to play there too.

Posted 11:00 14th January 2010

Ian Longland (Liverpool fan) says...

well well well.negativity running wild thismorning.worst side for 45 years.wat a load of rubbish.please sky,for once put a positive liverpool fan on.were do we get this 280 million rafa has spent.how much has he sold?man city spent last summer more than wat rafa has spent in 6 years.souness's side of the mid 90's was the worst side i'd ever seen bar none.aquilani needs time to get used to playing in england.he'll be a good player i've no doubt.the new guy is a real bargain for nowt.proven international player.we've over achieved pure and simple.we are liverpool and shud be winning league titles.rubbish why should we with a squad like ours.our squad isn't gud enough.anyone who thinks otherwise is dreaming.we are short of 5 or 6 quality players. a good proven left back.a proven goal scorer.another quality winger.another centre half.we'll never win the league with this squad so i'm realistic about our chances.

Posted 10:53 14th January 2010

Collo Collo (Liverpool fan) says...

Lads this one is simple. Rafa has had his money he just doent know what he is doing. The players are all internationals, there all good players Rafa has got the balance wrong,. He has never strung a good side together. The 2006 CL team was Houliers not Rafas. So why I hear you ask, why has he had success else where and why has he improved liverpools position over the past few years and why have we fallen from grace? One reason is he has sold Alonso, Abeloa, Crouch and Bellemy and Keane and stuck with Dirk Kuyt I could go on, but the real reason is that Paco left his side and he is lost without him. Rafa has only ever had success when Paco was with him. And he left last year after a row with Rafa and now Rafa has run out of ideas. Simple,

Posted 10:44 14th January 2010

Mark Twigg (Liverpool fan) says...

All the people calling for rafa to be sacked, who are you going to replace him with? No manager in their rite mind would come to a club so far in debt, that have to sell valued players to buy in players worth £1.5m, a club that is over £300m in debt and a club where the owners will not even talk to each other! No manager that has a reputation will come that is fact. We need the yanks out before we can do anything, they promised liverpool the world and have gave nothing but trouble and huge debts. Yes rafa should go but we can not afford to buy out his contract and the problems are much further up than rafa, think about it people no one will come whilst the club is like this. Reading deserved their win, liverpool once again never looked like scoring.

Posted 10:39 14th January 2010

Dean Fisher (Liverpool fan) says...

Under Benitez, The football is poor, the tactics are poor and the fact that he's bought players and trying to change them is so frustrating!! When we bought Lucas he was a great attacking midfield prospect and now he's a mediocre defensive midfielder, Babel was a striker with a great scoring record and unbelievable potential now he plays 2nd fiddle to the likes of N'gog and Riera, Kuyt's goals in Holland had all of europe talking and now he's average at best. Plus the amount of good youngsters that aren't even getting a look in is shocking. Eccleston, Pacheco, Kacaniklic, Nemeth etc, etc are not getting a snif when surely now is the time to give them a go. Wenger does it year in and year out, you don't see him going out and buying over the hill players just to fill his squad with so-called experience!! Unless you've played in the premiership your experience counts for nothing. I think what's gone on behind the scenes hasn't helped but you can only blame that situation so much. As for the work harder policy, how hard does he want this team to work?? He's been saying this for the last 12 games!! Sorry but if Rafa loved the club as much as he says, he'd walk because the damage he is doing at the moment is getting worse and worse each game.

Posted 10:30 14th January 2010

Ria Angolas (Arsenal fan) says...

I generally do believe that Rafa has lost the dressing room, the plot and the idea of fight. This sinking ship is going down fast and I wouldn't blame the likes of Torres, Gerrard or even Renia for jumping first. It is good to see that most of the LFC fans are now seeing the light. As most of you wanted to blame the owners for their downfall this season. Just remember it's rafa who picks the team, it's Rafa who sets out the tactics of the game, It's Rafa who has over his reign been given the funds to buy players for your club who are not good enough for your team. Any other manager would off received his marching orders by now. As an Arsenal fan many have critisized Wenger for not bringing a trophy to Arsenal for 5 years but Wenger has built a steady and promising foundation at Arsenal and are youngsters are coming along just nicely. Can any Liverpool fan say that Rafa is doing the same? I'm not here to blow the "our manager is better than yours" trumpet because I do feel for Liverpool FC and it's fans. So do yourselves a favour and come to the realisation that Rafa can no longer take you to the great heights that you once were at and get on the owners backs to find the funds so that they can sack Rafa and move onto the next chapter of Liverpool FC. Because in truth, this chapter was badly written and the author's name is Rafa Benitez.

Posted 10:27 14th January 2010

Kev Gerrard (Liverpool fan) says...

The reason why Rafa has to go is because he is to stubborn and proud to see his mistakes. Good managers can admit when they are wrong and change things around but Rafa seems to want to make a point to the media and the fans that hes right by continuing to play people like Lucas. Dont blame Lucas personally...its not his fault hes not good enough...its Rafas fault for playing him EVERY game. Rafa is killing us by being too proud in his decisions. Lucas and Insua would get no-where near any other top 6 team...so why ours? People need to lay off Aqualani aswel lets give him a decent chance before slating the lad! Hes come back from months out into an awful team with no confidence and is playing with a sunday league player next to him.

Posted 10:26 14th January 2010

Jimi Brux (Manchester City fan) says...

Unfortunately Rafa seems to be going the way of Mark Hughes . At first he was seen as the way forward but after some initial good signings he made a few bad ones and was then playing some players out of position . Liverpool are better than this so do the obvious thing ....... sack Rafa and bring in Hiddink or Mourinho.

Posted 10:19 14th January 2010

Adam Smith (Ipswich Town fan) says...

I think liverpool fans are too expectant of the team. yes Rafa hasnt been great this season but how can people come on here and say that they are ashamed to be a supporter? get real, the quicker you realise you're a mid table team the better. Another thing also, stop constantly referring to your past success because no team can be successful forever. Besides you could do alot worse!

Posted 10:18 14th January 2010

Jay Singh (Liverpool fan) says...

Bring in Kenny with Steve MacManaman as his No. 2 until the end of the Season. Keep Sammy on as coach. Then in the Summer bring in anyone of:- Guus Hiddink Jose Mouriniho Frank Rijkard

Posted 10:16 14th January 2010
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