Liverpool FC 1 – Reading 2
Unable to string a sequence of meaningful passes together and failing to make the most of their superior talent, a sign of things to come arrived in the first minute when Fernando Torres was flattened by a crude challenge that effectively ended his night. He laboured on for half an hour with a twisted knee but never gave the impression he was moving without pain and it made sense for Benitez to call an early halt to his evening before any further damage was done.
Even on one good leg, though, Torres still looked more of a threat and possessed greater interest than some of his teammates, who gave the impression they would rather be anywhere but scrapping on a freezing cold evening.
Approaching half time Liverpool took the lead totally against the run of play, totally unexpected but totally needed, Steven Gerrard’s drive and determination inside the penalty area led to the unfortunate Ryan Bertrand putting through his own goal. And, as if by magic, the atmosphere changed; relief swept down from the Kop, the Centenary Stand, the Main Stand and the sparsely-populated Anfield Road that, possibly, the labouring was over.
Gerrard’s reaction, however, told its own story; shoulders slunk, head bowed and almost reluctant to shake hands in celebration, the skipper – who expects higher standards knew this was way below par.
Yet almost as quickly as Liverpool were given a lift, the feel good factor was taken away; Gerrard’s failure to return for the second 45 minutes owing to a hamstring problem was as worrying as this slipshod performance.
To think they were within seconds of progress after being given the helping hand of Bertrand’ own goal, only to press the self-destruct button in spectacular fashion. Sigurdsson sending Cavalieri the wrong way from the spot after Benayoun had unwisely hacked at substitute Shane Long.
Long’s header in the first period of extra time brought Liverpool’s world tumbling down and it will serve only to cast further doubt over whether Rafael Benitez’s side can afford to go without any major squad reinforcement this month as the Spaniard desperately aims to salvage the season – and possibly his job.
In taking off Gerrard and Torres so early, Benitez understandably erred on the side of caution but he – like everyone else – will be praying they do not suffer reactions which would preclude their involvement against Stoke City and Tottenham Hotspur.
Unable to string a sequence of meaningful passes together and failing to make the most of their superior talent, a sign of things to come arrived in the first minute when Fernando Torres was flattened by a crude challenge that effectively ended his night. He laboured on for half an hour with a twisted knee but never gave the impression he was moving without pain and it made sense for Benitez to call an early halt to his evening before any further damage was done.Even on one good leg, though, Torres still looked more of a threat and possessed greater interest than some of his teammates, who gave the impression they would rather be anywhere but scrapping on a freezing cold evening.
Approaching half time Liverpool took the lead totally against the run of play, totally unexpected but totally needed, Steven Gerrard’s drive and determination inside the penalty area led to the unfortunate Ryan Bertrand putting through his own goal. And, as if by magic, the atmosphere changed; relief swept down from the Kop, the Centenary Stand, the Main Stand and the sparsely-populated Anfield Road that, possibly, the labouring was over.
Gerrard’s reaction, however, told its own story; shoulders slunk, head bowed and almost reluctant to shake hands in celebration, the skipper – who expects higher standards knew this was way below par.
Yet almost as quickly as Liverpool were given a lift, the feel good factor was taken away; Gerrard’s failure to return for the second 45 minutes owing to a hamstring problem was as worrying as this slipshod performance.
To think they were within seconds of progress after being given the helping hand of Bertrand’ own goal, only to press the self-destruct button in spectacular fashion. Sigurdsson sending Cavalieri the wrong way from the spot after Benayoun had unwisely hacked at substitute Shane Long.
Long’s header in the first period of extra time brought Liverpool’s world tumbling down and it will serve only to cast further doubt over whether Rafael Benitez’s side can afford to go without any major squad reinforcement this month as the Spaniard desperately aims to salvage the season – and possibly his job.
In taking off Gerrard and Torres so early, Benitez understandably erred on the side of caution but he – like everyone else – will be praying they do not suffer reactions which would preclude their involvement against Stoke City and Tottenham Hotspur.
