Reading vs Liverpool: What the papers say
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The 17 Bus
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The 17 Bus Reading v liverpool Media Match reports, easy
Doesn't have quite the same ring to it somehow.
Sportinglife.com
Reading 3 Liverpool 1
By Jon West, PA Sport
http://tinyurl.com/3b7tbo
Liverpool began their most important week of the season with a defeat at Reading which suggests the Barclays Premier League
title will once again be heading away from Anfield this season.
Rafael Benitez's side must now fight for their Champions League lives in Marseille on Tuesday night before having their domestic
credentials put under intense scrutiny again by Manchester United at the weekend.
Reading recorded their first victory against one of the so-called 'big four' thanks to a Stephen Hunt penalty and second-half strikes
from Kevin Doyle and James Harper.
All Liverpool had to take away from Berkshire was Steven Gerrard's equaliser but referee Andre Marriner also had a big
part to play in the proceedings.
The official - who had sent off Chelsea's Michael Essien at Derby in his previous top-flight game - appeared to have called the
Reading penalty incorrectly and also failed to spot two occasions when Liverpool should have been awarded spot-kicks.
Liverpool should have been ahead in the seventh minute and it was a surprise when Fernando Torres, who had hit a hat-trick
on this ground in a Carling Cup tie in September, could not accept a simple chance.
John Arne Riise's long-throw eluded Ibrahima Sonko as he jumped with Peter Crouch and the Spaniard was left with the
simple task of slotting past goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann. Instead he allowed the American to parry.
Reading seized on the let-off and produced their finest 20 minutes of the season so far, attacking their opponents with the
verve that had served them so well in the previous two campaigns but had been replaced by self-doubt during this one.
Their goal needed a large slice of fortune, however, as referee Marriner, having consulted a flag-waving linesman, called
Jamie Carragher's felling of Brynjar Gunnarsson wrongly as the pair thundered to the brink of the Liverpool box.
There was no question that the Icelander had been impeded but replays suggested contact had been made just outside the box
and Carragher howled his displeasure.
Hunt despatched the penalty with panache, however, and Reading continued to attack, with a Bobby Convey drive beating
Jose Reina and only just clearing his crossbar.
Reading's previous frailties were not long in reappearing and Gerrard took full advantage to put his side on level terms in
the 28th minute.
Torres eluded Sonko to take down a long ball and quickly set up his skipper with a sideways pass. Gerrard had little difficulty
shrugging off Hunt's challenge to reach the box and slot past the exposed Hahnemann.
That deflated Reading but fortune favoured them again when Liverpool were denied a much stronger penalty shout than the
one previously given to the hosts.
Ivar Ingimarsson's header straight to Gerrard not only surrendered possession cheaply but also allowed Torres to move
swiftly into space and when Sonko stuck out a boot in the box he tumbled. But play was allowed to continue.
Andriy Voronin fired in a couple of snapshots from the right of the box as Liverpool ended the half in the ascendancy, but when
Momo Sissoko went down in the box under yet another strong Sonko challenge, again no penalty was awarded.
Reading began the second period on the back foot and there was a let-off when Torres sent a diving header across goal after
Nicky Shorey's error had allowed Crouch to fire in a cross from the right.
The home defence then made a hash of their offside trap before yet another penalty decision went their way.
Torres's trailing leg was clearly caught by Sonko and this time the Spaniard also appeared to have been hurt.
Again television replays confirmed contact had been made.
If the home fans sensed it was to be their night, Doyle gave them concrete proof on the hour by sending a glancing
header past Reina to put Reading back in front.
Gerrard had been booked for felling Hunt on the run and when Shorey swung in the free-kick the Republic of Ireland striker
lost his marker to produce a slight but perfectly-aimed deflection.
Doyle then fired just over but again Reading were in luck when Gerrard saw a drive smack off the bar seconds before Harper
made it 3-1 at the other end.
Convey's pass enabled the hyperactive midfielder to scamper clear of the defence and any fears the home support had that he
would be unable to finish were wiped away by a cool side-step to get past Reina and a shot into the empty net.
Harry Kewell, who had come on for Torres, fired a good chance across goal and just wide at the other end.
It just was not Liverpool's day - as Crouch proved again in stoppage time with a drive that beat Hahnemann but rebounded back
to the goalkeeper off a post.
Teams
Reading Hahnemann, Murty (Cisse 90), Sonko (Bikey 81),Ingimarsson, Shorey, Hunt, Harper, Gunnarsson,Convey (Lita 88 ),
Doyle, Kitson.
Subs Not Used: Federici, Long.
Goals: Hunt 17 pen, Doyle 60, Harper 67.
Liverpool Reina, Arbeloa, Carragher (Hyypia 82), Hobbs, Riise,Gerrard (Babel 71), Mascherano, Sissoko, Voronin,
Torres (Kewell 61), Crouch.
Subs Not Used: Itandje, Kuyt.
Booked: Gerrard.
Goals: Gerrard 28.
Att: 24,022
Ref: Andre Marriner (W Midlands).
STAT ATTACK
Reading.....Liverpool
4 Shots On Target 5
3 Shots Off Target 10
10 Fouls (Conceded) 10
7 Corners 7
0 Yellow Cards 1
0 Red Cards 0
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Memories Of India
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Memories Of India
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Far CanalMemories Of IndiaFar Canal Reading recorded their first victory against one of the so-called 'big four'
Rubbish lazy journo forgetting that football began before 1992.
but the present big four weren't the big four pre 92.
Indeed, but we have recorded a win against Manchester United.
AND prior to the big four we had the big five which included Everton and Spurs, and I've lost count of the number of times we've beaten them.
The 17 Bus Reading v liverpool Media Match reports, easy
Reading v Liverpool The Internet is a worldwide, publicly accessible series of interconnected computer networks that transmit data by packet switching using the standard Internet Protocol (IP). It is a "network of networks" that consists of millions of smaller domestic, academic, business, and government networks, which together carry various information and services, such as electronic mail, online chat, file transfer, and the interlinked web pages and other resources of the World Wide Web (WWW)
REPORT
http://football.guardian.co.uk/Observer_Match_Report/0,,2224753,00.html
Doyle's delight as Reading put pressure back on Rafa
Philip Dorward
Sunday December 9, 2007
The Observer
There are signs that again the Premier League is not Rafael Benitez's priority this season. To be outplayed by a team who have never beaten a 'big four' side is bad enough, but to substitute your star striker, your influential captain and finally your most experienced defender with the scoreline going against you, and time to change it, suggests Europe is more important.
The good news for Liverpool fans is that there are also pointers that the Premier League is Benitez's priority, although yesterday you would have to have been at your most open-minded to believe it, given the swerve balls pitched by the Liverpool manager.
That there were four changes from Liverpool's previous game should come as no surprise. As usual, it was the midfield that got the biggest shuffle: Harry Kewell, Yossi Benayoun and Lucas made way for Javier Mascherano, Momo Sissoko and Andriy Voronin. It was, as Reading manager Steve Coppell said: 'Chopping and changing cream with caviar.'
There had been talk in the week of bringing in Jack Hobbs to replace the vice captain Jamie Carragher, who was just one booking away from missing next Sunday's game against Manchester United at Anfield.
As expected, the 19-year-old signed from Lincoln City did get his first Premier League start, but it was in place of Sami Hyppia.
Benitez was as good as his coded pre-match words when he selected Fernando Torres to start, but then so would you, given his hat-trick here in a Carling Cup tie in September, when Liverpool chalked up their fourth victory (and a 12-6 goal aggregate) in little over 12 months against Reading.
Torres should have had his fourth goal against Coppell's side when John Arne's Riise's sixth-minute throw-in found its way to him eight yards out. More curious than the lack of marking was that Torres hit the ball straight at Marcus Hahnemann when a yard either side would have brought a goal.
In a rumbustious first half, it was Reading who got their noses in front, after 17 minutes in debatable circumstances. Carragher made a clumsy challenge on Kevin Doyle on the right side of the area.
The referee Andre Marriner paused before awarding the spot kick and then, after furious objections from the Liverpool team and comical histrionics from the goalkeeper Jose Reina, he consulted his assistant, only to confirm his original decision. Stephen Hunt was unmoved by the furore, calmly slotting the ball low left.
But after putting Liverpool's 4-1-2-3 formation to the sword for the following ten minutes, Reading committed hari kari. Ibrahima Sonko got sucked in by Reina's long punt, allowing Torres a ridiculous amount of time to chest the ball down, turn and lay off a pass to the centre of the area for Steven Gerrard to burst through and pass the ball past a stranded Hahnemann for his landmark 50th Liverpool league goal.
The visitors should have gone into the lead eight minutes from half time, when Torres jinked inside Sonko on the right and the Senegalese international stuck out a boot to trip him up. Much to the chagrin of Benitez, Reading got away with it.
Liverpool threatened to run up a cricket score early in the second half. Torres screwed a Gerrard cross just past the left post, Hobbs broke Reading's offside trap but fluffed his lines and Riise fully tested Hahnemann with a sizzling 30-yard drive. Sonko and Torres then clashed once more and again Liverpool were denied a penalty, this time correctly.
Reading, having survived the onslaught, then hit Liverpool with two brilliant sucker punches. The first came on the hour, when Doyle connected with Nicky Shorey's goalbound free-kick and headed into the net.
The second, seven minutes later, was a touch of class that floored the visitors. Doyle and Bobby Convey linked superbly down the left before the American played a terrific pass that saw James Harper run away from the entire Liverpool defence.
After out-stretching the onrushing Riise into the area, he rounded Reina before rolling the ball into an empty net to seal a memorable and, for Reading, historic result.
Doyle's delight as Reading put pressure back on Rafa
Philip Dorward
Sunday December 9, 2007
The Observer
There are signs that again the Premier League is not Rafael Benitez's priority this season. To be outplayed by a team who have never beaten a 'big four' side is bad enough, but to substitute your star striker, your influential captain and finally your most experienced defender with the scoreline going against you, and time to change it, suggests Europe is more important.
The good news for Liverpool fans is that there are also pointers that the Premier League is Benitez's priority, although yesterday you would have to have been at your most open-minded to believe it, given the swerve balls pitched by the Liverpool manager.
That there were four changes from Liverpool's previous game should come as no surprise. As usual, it was the midfield that got the biggest shuffle: Harry Kewell, Yossi Benayoun and Lucas made way for Javier Mascherano, Momo Sissoko and Andriy Voronin. It was, as Reading manager Steve Coppell said: 'Chopping and changing cream with caviar.'
There had been talk in the week of bringing in Jack Hobbs to replace the vice captain Jamie Carragher, who was just one booking away from missing next Sunday's game against Manchester United at Anfield.
As expected, the 19-year-old signed from Lincoln City did get his first Premier League start, but it was in place of Sami Hyppia.
Benitez was as good as his coded pre-match words when he selected Fernando Torres to start, but then so would you, given his hat-trick here in a Carling Cup tie in September, when Liverpool chalked up their fourth victory (and a 12-6 goal aggregate) in little over 12 months against Reading.
Torres should have had his fourth goal against Coppell's side when John Arne's Riise's sixth-minute throw-in found its way to him eight yards out. More curious than the lack of marking was that Torres hit the ball straight at Marcus Hahnemann when a yard either side would have brought a goal.
In a rumbustious first half, it was Reading who got their noses in front, after 17 minutes in debatable circumstances. Carragher made a clumsy challenge on Kevin Doyle on the right side of the area.
The referee Andre Marriner paused before awarding the spot kick and then, after furious objections from the Liverpool team and comical histrionics from the goalkeeper Jose Reina, he consulted his assistant, only to confirm his original decision. Stephen Hunt was unmoved by the furore, calmly slotting the ball low left.
But after putting Liverpool's 4-1-2-3 formation to the sword for the following ten minutes, Reading committed hari kari. Ibrahima Sonko got sucked in by Reina's long punt, allowing Torres a ridiculous amount of time to chest the ball down, turn and lay off a pass to the centre of the area for Steven Gerrard to burst through and pass the ball past a stranded Hahnemann for his landmark 50th Liverpool league goal.
The visitors should have gone into the lead eight minutes from half time, when Torres jinked inside Sonko on the right and the Senegalese international stuck out a boot to trip him up. Much to the chagrin of Benitez, Reading got away with it.
Liverpool threatened to run up a cricket score early in the second half. Torres screwed a Gerrard cross just past the left post, Hobbs broke Reading's offside trap but fluffed his lines and Riise fully tested Hahnemann with a sizzling 30-yard drive. Sonko and Torres then clashed once more and again Liverpool were denied a penalty, this time correctly.
Reading, having survived the onslaught, then hit Liverpool with two brilliant sucker punches. The first came on the hour, when Doyle connected with Nicky Shorey's goalbound free-kick and headed into the net.
The second, seven minutes later, was a touch of class that floored the visitors. Doyle and Bobby Convey linked superbly down the left before the American played a terrific pass that saw James Harper run away from the entire Liverpool defence.
After out-stretching the onrushing Riise into the area, he rounded Reina before rolling the ball into an empty net to seal a memorable and, for Reading, historic result.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml?xml=/sport/2007/12/09/sfgrea109.xml
Reading heap pressure on Rafa Benitez By Roy Collins at the Madejski Stadium
Last Updated: 9:00pm GMT 08/12/2007
Reading (1) 3 Liverpool (1) 1
The most challenging week of Rafa Benitez's reign as Liverpool manager just got a lot, lot harder. Already under pressure after his outspoken criticism of American owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks and facing two crucial games in the next seven days, this was not the time to suffer their first Premier League defeat of the season.
Reading, a team who had managed only a point from their previous four league games, looked to be a nice easy send off for Liverpool before two games that will not only go a long way to deciding the shape of Liverpool's season but the long-term future of Benitez, who tried Gillett's and Hicks' patience to the limit with his claims that they do not understand European transfer dealings. Although they made little public response, silence is not always golden.
Royally beaten: Liverpool's loss is etched on the face of Rafa Benitez
Benitez now desperately needs victory in Marseille on Tuesday to keep the club's Champions League boat afloat, their biggest game in the competition since last year's final. And on Sunday, three more important men go to Anfield, Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, plus Gillett and Hicks themselves. They may also not have been impressed by the way Benitez bizarrely pulled off captain Steven Gerrard when Liverpool went 3-1 down.
But let us not make Liverpool the centre of an extraordinary night, because this was a fabulous effort by Steve Coppell's Reading, a side people have accused of suffering second season syndrome, whatever that is, who were thrashed 7-4 at Portsmouth this season and who have been widely tipped for relegation.
Coppell says that he only enjoys victories for 20 minutes before turning his attention to the next game, but one feels that this one might have lasted the whole weekend and probably midway into the week.
His side and the 24,000 fans will never forget it, the club's first ever win against a top-four side. In particular, they will remember the magical moment when James Harper waltzed around Jose Reina before tucking in a delightful third which made the points safe. Liverpool's £26.5 million man Fernando Torres, anonymous for most of this game, must have looked on in envy.
The funny thing about Benitez's buying policy is that no matter how many players he buys - and he bought £45 million worth in the summer - none of them, it seems, can ever come close to challenging Gerrard as the heartbeat of the side. Once again, as Liverpool found themselves under pressure and in arrears, it was the driving qualities of Gerrard that put them back on track.
Yet, having been called upon to do so on countless occasions for his club, even Gerrard's halo slipped last night as he gave away a free kick on the edge of the area with a foul on Stephen Hunt that allowed Nicky Shorey to deliver the free kick from which Kevin Doyle headed Reading ahead for the second time. That was the turning point of the game.
Having won here 4-2 in the Carling Cup, this was supposed to be a gentle warm-up for Liverpool before the challenges ahead, so much so that Benitez felt confident enough to rest Sami Hyypia and give a first start to Jack Hobbs, 19, a signing from Lincoln who one might have been expected to be on the Lord's groundstaff.
But things threatened to go seriously wrong when Jamie Carragher brought down Brynjar Gunnarsson right on the edge of the box and referee Andre Marriner, after a sign from his assistant, awarded the penalty from which Hunt gave Reading a shock lead.
Far from panicking, however, Liverpool simply stepped up a gear and it really was a gentle stroll for Gerrard as he picked up Torres' knock-on from Jose Reina's long clearance and poked in the equaliser.
Reading, concluding their first round of games against the top four, would have settled for their second point before the game, though Coppell knows that the games that really matter in the survival stakes are against the lesser lights. He also knows that the points they need are likely to come here, where all their four Premier League victories have come.
Last night, however, they refused to believe such nonsense. And the sight of young Hobbs lining up in the middle of the Liverpool defence may just have fired their competitive juices. Not that any finger of blame could be pointed at Hobbs.
Liverpool, like their manager, took liberties with so-called inferior opposition and they paid a heavy price. Benitez is not the sort of man to panic, but if things go wrong again on Tuesday, he may, after all his criticisms of Gillett and Hicks, have to find a sweet tongue when he meets up with them.
Moment of the Match
The marvellous final goal from Reading, a move worked from inside their own half and which ended with James Harper walking the ball round Liverpool goalkeeper Jose Reina before tucking it in.
Rating: 8/10
Reading heap pressure on Rafa Benitez By Roy Collins at the Madejski Stadium
Last Updated: 9:00pm GMT 08/12/2007
Reading (1) 3 Liverpool (1) 1
The most challenging week of Rafa Benitez's reign as Liverpool manager just got a lot, lot harder. Already under pressure after his outspoken criticism of American owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks and facing two crucial games in the next seven days, this was not the time to suffer their first Premier League defeat of the season.
Reading, a team who had managed only a point from their previous four league games, looked to be a nice easy send off for Liverpool before two games that will not only go a long way to deciding the shape of Liverpool's season but the long-term future of Benitez, who tried Gillett's and Hicks' patience to the limit with his claims that they do not understand European transfer dealings. Although they made little public response, silence is not always golden.
Royally beaten: Liverpool's loss is etched on the face of Rafa Benitez
Benitez now desperately needs victory in Marseille on Tuesday to keep the club's Champions League boat afloat, their biggest game in the competition since last year's final. And on Sunday, three more important men go to Anfield, Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, plus Gillett and Hicks themselves. They may also not have been impressed by the way Benitez bizarrely pulled off captain Steven Gerrard when Liverpool went 3-1 down.
But let us not make Liverpool the centre of an extraordinary night, because this was a fabulous effort by Steve Coppell's Reading, a side people have accused of suffering second season syndrome, whatever that is, who were thrashed 7-4 at Portsmouth this season and who have been widely tipped for relegation.
Coppell says that he only enjoys victories for 20 minutes before turning his attention to the next game, but one feels that this one might have lasted the whole weekend and probably midway into the week.
His side and the 24,000 fans will never forget it, the club's first ever win against a top-four side. In particular, they will remember the magical moment when James Harper waltzed around Jose Reina before tucking in a delightful third which made the points safe. Liverpool's £26.5 million man Fernando Torres, anonymous for most of this game, must have looked on in envy.
The funny thing about Benitez's buying policy is that no matter how many players he buys - and he bought £45 million worth in the summer - none of them, it seems, can ever come close to challenging Gerrard as the heartbeat of the side. Once again, as Liverpool found themselves under pressure and in arrears, it was the driving qualities of Gerrard that put them back on track.
Yet, having been called upon to do so on countless occasions for his club, even Gerrard's halo slipped last night as he gave away a free kick on the edge of the area with a foul on Stephen Hunt that allowed Nicky Shorey to deliver the free kick from which Kevin Doyle headed Reading ahead for the second time. That was the turning point of the game.
Having won here 4-2 in the Carling Cup, this was supposed to be a gentle warm-up for Liverpool before the challenges ahead, so much so that Benitez felt confident enough to rest Sami Hyypia and give a first start to Jack Hobbs, 19, a signing from Lincoln who one might have been expected to be on the Lord's groundstaff.
But things threatened to go seriously wrong when Jamie Carragher brought down Brynjar Gunnarsson right on the edge of the box and referee Andre Marriner, after a sign from his assistant, awarded the penalty from which Hunt gave Reading a shock lead.
Far from panicking, however, Liverpool simply stepped up a gear and it really was a gentle stroll for Gerrard as he picked up Torres' knock-on from Jose Reina's long clearance and poked in the equaliser.
Reading, concluding their first round of games against the top four, would have settled for their second point before the game, though Coppell knows that the games that really matter in the survival stakes are against the lesser lights. He also knows that the points they need are likely to come here, where all their four Premier League victories have come.
Last night, however, they refused to believe such nonsense. And the sight of young Hobbs lining up in the middle of the Liverpool defence may just have fired their competitive juices. Not that any finger of blame could be pointed at Hobbs.
Liverpool, like their manager, took liberties with so-called inferior opposition and they paid a heavy price. Benitez is not the sort of man to panic, but if things go wrong again on Tuesday, he may, after all his criticisms of Gillett and Hicks, have to find a sweet tongue when he meets up with them.
Moment of the Match
The marvellous final goal from Reading, a move worked from inside their own half and which ended with James Harper walking the ball round Liverpool goalkeeper Jose Reina before tucking it in.
Rating: 8/10
The Sunday Times
December 9, 2007
Liverpool stumble to defeat
Reading 3 Liverpool 1
Joe Lovejoy at Madejski Stadium
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/ ... 022455.ece
Liverpool lost their unbeaten record in the Premier League in circumstances that left Rafael Benitez blaming the
referee, Andre Marriner, for getting three penalty decisions wrong. Reading scored with one that shouldn’t have been
given and Liverpool were denied two more legitimate appeals.
The first goal came from the spot, from Stephen Hunt, after an offence by Jamie Carragher that was committed 2ft outside the area,
and Liverpool’s sense of injustice was exacerbated when Reading twice got away with flagrant fouls on Fernando Torres well inside
the 18-yard line.
Benitez said he was “not happyâ€
December 9, 2007
Liverpool stumble to defeat
Reading 3 Liverpool 1
Joe Lovejoy at Madejski Stadium
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/ ... 022455.ece
Liverpool lost their unbeaten record in the Premier League in circumstances that left Rafael Benitez blaming the
referee, Andre Marriner, for getting three penalty decisions wrong. Reading scored with one that shouldn’t have been
given and Liverpool were denied two more legitimate appeals.
The first goal came from the spot, from Stephen Hunt, after an offence by Jamie Carragher that was committed 2ft outside the area,
and Liverpool’s sense of injustice was exacerbated when Reading twice got away with flagrant fouls on Fernando Torres well inside
the 18-yard line.
Benitez said he was “not happyâ€
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readingbedding
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[quote="Far Canal"]The Sunday Times
December 9, 2007
Liverpool stumble to defeat
Reading 3 Liverpool 1
Joe Lovejoy at Madejski Stadium
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/ ... 022455.ece
Liverpool lost their unbeaten record in the Premier League in circumstances that left Rafael Benitez blaming the
referee, Andre Marriner, for getting three penalty decisions wrong. Reading scored with one that shouldn’t have been
given and Liverpool were denied two more legitimate appeals.
The first goal came from the spot, from Stephen Hunt, after an offence by Jamie Carragher that was committed 2ft outside the area,
and Liverpool’s sense of injustice was exacerbated when Reading twice got away with flagrant fouls on Fernando Torres well inside
the 18-yard line.
Benitez said he was “not happyâ€
December 9, 2007
Liverpool stumble to defeat
Reading 3 Liverpool 1
Joe Lovejoy at Madejski Stadium
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/ ... 022455.ece
Liverpool lost their unbeaten record in the Premier League in circumstances that left Rafael Benitez blaming the
referee, Andre Marriner, for getting three penalty decisions wrong. Reading scored with one that shouldn’t have been
given and Liverpool were denied two more legitimate appeals.
The first goal came from the spot, from Stephen Hunt, after an offence by Jamie Carragher that was committed 2ft outside the area,
and Liverpool’s sense of injustice was exacerbated when Reading twice got away with flagrant fouls on Fernando Torres well inside
the 18-yard line.
Benitez said he was “not happyâ€
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bobby m's syrup
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Not journalism I know, but an interesting perspective. Also some very decent comments by 'pool fans
http://forums.thisisanfield.com/viewtopic.php?t=23378
http://forums.thisisanfield.com/viewtopic.php?t=23378
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Barry the bird boggler
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- Location: in my bird boggler
Mail On Sunday
Right Royal stunner for Liverpool as deadly Doyle puts skids under Gerrard and his pals
Reading 3 Liverpool 1
By MALCOLM FOLLEY
Last updated at 22:18pm on 8th December 2007
On a night that will be long remembered in Royal Berkshire, Reading inflicted a defeat that will not make life on Merseyside any more comfortable for Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez.
The next seven days could define Liverpool's season. On Tuesday, their Champions League fate is dependent on a victory in Marseille. At stake in the old French port on the Mediterranean is a treasure trove of £16 million — the value placed on reaching the knockout stages of Europe's elite competition.
On Sunday, they meet Manchester United at Anfield, a game that offers no hiding place for the faint-hearted. American owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks, who have expressed disquiet with Benitez's public protestations over a possible lack of transfer window activity, are crossing the Atlantic to meet him before the game.
The Liverpool manager's decision to substitute Fernando Torres,when Reading led 2-1 with half-an-hour left, and captain Steven Gerrard at 3-1 with almost 20 minutes still on the clock, stirred indignation among travelling supporters.
Effectively, Benitez had surrendered all ambition to salvage the game. His side had been undefeated in the Premier League until yesterday.
He admitted: "I was trying to protect my big players for the next game.We must go to Marseille with confidence, win and then think about United."
Regardless of the critical nature of those matches, it is hard to imagine that Sir Alex Ferguson or Arsene Wenger would have been as negative. Not least as Liverpool had scored four at Madejski Stadium in a League Cup tie a little over 10 weeks ago when Torres scored a second-half hat-trick.
For Steve Coppell, the inclusion of Gerrard, Torres, Jamie Carragher and Peter Crouch had focused his mind. "When I was given their team, I thought: 'My word that's a bit juicy!'," smiled the Reading manager. "Sometimes, the big boys bring the best out of you. You have to play effectively, at a high tempo. I think we did that, and we also thought that with Gerrard on the left Liverpool would be a bit thin, and that allowed us to play with width. When we get involved in the chess side of football we come midunstuck."
His team met the challenge, with heart, controlled aggression and an adroit exhibition of finishing. Does Coppell sense, with this historic firstever victory achieved against one of the big four — United, Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool — that his team can make a strident move up the table?
"It's the kind of thing you hope, but I fear not," added Coppell, intact with the humour that coloured his own childhood on Merseyside. "We're Reading, you don't know what's going to happen any week as we're punching above our weight."
Reading's opening goal the 20th minute came from a controversial penalty awarded against Carragher, selected even though a yellow card would ban him from the United showdown.
Carragher perpetrated a reckless challenge on Brynjar Gunnarsson, of that there was no argument. Yet, he bitterly com-plained that the foul had occurred outside the area.
Referee Andre Marriner disagreed, following a swift consultation with an assistant and Stephen Hunt sent Pepe Reina in the wrong direction. To further infuriate Benitez, Marriner denied Liverpool claims for a penalty of their own in the 38th minute when Torres was brought to the ground by an outstretched leg from Reading defender Ibrahima Sonko.
"I'm not happy with those two decisions," said the Spaniard later.
Yet, Liverpool had the game under some semblance of control before the incident involving Sonko and Torres.
A team who may pride themselves on playing a refined, short-passing game are not immune to taking the shortest route into the opposition's danger zone. From a long punt by Reina, Torres illustrated his immense value to Liverpool.
With deft skill, he brought the ball out of the air on his chest and had the vision to see Gerrard's run into a central position.
Once the England midfielder had the ball at his feet, he skipped around Hunt and tucked the ball to the left of Marcus Hahnemann as the giant American goalkeeper rushed to narrow the angle.
But Reading were to cause Benitez and his team acute embarrassment in the second half. When Graeme Murty feigned to take a 59th-minute free-kick, Nicky Shorey delivered the ball into the area for Kevin Doyle flick home.
The game took another savage twist in the 67th minute as James Harper ran from inside his own half to outpace John Arne Riise. With beautiful deceit, he showed goalkeeper Reina one side, then danced to the other before rolling the ball into the Liverpool net to spark a night of revelry in the neighbourhood.
Benitez had to face a grilling, but when asked if this result would make his meeting with the club's owners more difficult, he contrived some humour. "If I improve my English, I don't think so, no," said Benitez.
Liverpool had little else to amuse them on this night of massive disappointment.
Right Royal stunner for Liverpool as deadly Doyle puts skids under Gerrard and his pals
Reading 3 Liverpool 1
By MALCOLM FOLLEY
Last updated at 22:18pm on 8th December 2007
On a night that will be long remembered in Royal Berkshire, Reading inflicted a defeat that will not make life on Merseyside any more comfortable for Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez.
The next seven days could define Liverpool's season. On Tuesday, their Champions League fate is dependent on a victory in Marseille. At stake in the old French port on the Mediterranean is a treasure trove of £16 million — the value placed on reaching the knockout stages of Europe's elite competition.
On Sunday, they meet Manchester United at Anfield, a game that offers no hiding place for the faint-hearted. American owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks, who have expressed disquiet with Benitez's public protestations over a possible lack of transfer window activity, are crossing the Atlantic to meet him before the game.
The Liverpool manager's decision to substitute Fernando Torres,when Reading led 2-1 with half-an-hour left, and captain Steven Gerrard at 3-1 with almost 20 minutes still on the clock, stirred indignation among travelling supporters.
Effectively, Benitez had surrendered all ambition to salvage the game. His side had been undefeated in the Premier League until yesterday.
He admitted: "I was trying to protect my big players for the next game.We must go to Marseille with confidence, win and then think about United."
Regardless of the critical nature of those matches, it is hard to imagine that Sir Alex Ferguson or Arsene Wenger would have been as negative. Not least as Liverpool had scored four at Madejski Stadium in a League Cup tie a little over 10 weeks ago when Torres scored a second-half hat-trick.
For Steve Coppell, the inclusion of Gerrard, Torres, Jamie Carragher and Peter Crouch had focused his mind. "When I was given their team, I thought: 'My word that's a bit juicy!'," smiled the Reading manager. "Sometimes, the big boys bring the best out of you. You have to play effectively, at a high tempo. I think we did that, and we also thought that with Gerrard on the left Liverpool would be a bit thin, and that allowed us to play with width. When we get involved in the chess side of football we come midunstuck."
His team met the challenge, with heart, controlled aggression and an adroit exhibition of finishing. Does Coppell sense, with this historic firstever victory achieved against one of the big four — United, Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool — that his team can make a strident move up the table?
"It's the kind of thing you hope, but I fear not," added Coppell, intact with the humour that coloured his own childhood on Merseyside. "We're Reading, you don't know what's going to happen any week as we're punching above our weight."
Reading's opening goal the 20th minute came from a controversial penalty awarded against Carragher, selected even though a yellow card would ban him from the United showdown.
Carragher perpetrated a reckless challenge on Brynjar Gunnarsson, of that there was no argument. Yet, he bitterly com-plained that the foul had occurred outside the area.
Referee Andre Marriner disagreed, following a swift consultation with an assistant and Stephen Hunt sent Pepe Reina in the wrong direction. To further infuriate Benitez, Marriner denied Liverpool claims for a penalty of their own in the 38th minute when Torres was brought to the ground by an outstretched leg from Reading defender Ibrahima Sonko.
"I'm not happy with those two decisions," said the Spaniard later.
Yet, Liverpool had the game under some semblance of control before the incident involving Sonko and Torres.
A team who may pride themselves on playing a refined, short-passing game are not immune to taking the shortest route into the opposition's danger zone. From a long punt by Reina, Torres illustrated his immense value to Liverpool.
With deft skill, he brought the ball out of the air on his chest and had the vision to see Gerrard's run into a central position.
Once the England midfielder had the ball at his feet, he skipped around Hunt and tucked the ball to the left of Marcus Hahnemann as the giant American goalkeeper rushed to narrow the angle.
But Reading were to cause Benitez and his team acute embarrassment in the second half. When Graeme Murty feigned to take a 59th-minute free-kick, Nicky Shorey delivered the ball into the area for Kevin Doyle flick home.
The game took another savage twist in the 67th minute as James Harper ran from inside his own half to outpace John Arne Riise. With beautiful deceit, he showed goalkeeper Reina one side, then danced to the other before rolling the ball into the Liverpool net to spark a night of revelry in the neighbourhood.
Benitez had to face a grilling, but when asked if this result would make his meeting with the club's owners more difficult, he contrived some humour. "If I improve my English, I don't think so, no," said Benitez.
Liverpool had little else to amuse them on this night of massive disappointment.
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The Surgeon of Crowthorne
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[quote="Far Canal"]The Sunday Times
December 9, 2007
Liverpool stumble to defeat
Reading 3 Liverpool 1
Joe Lovejoy at Madejski Stadium
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/ ... 022455.ece
Liverpool lost their unbeaten record in the Premier League in circumstances that left Rafael Benitez blaming the
referee, Andre Marriner, for getting three penalty decisions wrong. Reading scored with one that shouldn’t have been
given and Liverpool were denied two more legitimate appeals.
The first goal came from the spot, from Stephen Hunt, after an offence by Jamie Carragher that was committed 2ft outside the area,
and Liverpool’s sense of injustice was exacerbated when Reading twice got away with flagrant fouls on Fernando Torres well inside
the 18-yard line.
Benitez said he was “not happyâ€
December 9, 2007
Liverpool stumble to defeat
Reading 3 Liverpool 1
Joe Lovejoy at Madejski Stadium
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/ ... 022455.ece
Liverpool lost their unbeaten record in the Premier League in circumstances that left Rafael Benitez blaming the
referee, Andre Marriner, for getting three penalty decisions wrong. Reading scored with one that shouldn’t have been
given and Liverpool were denied two more legitimate appeals.
The first goal came from the spot, from Stephen Hunt, after an offence by Jamie Carragher that was committed 2ft outside the area,
and Liverpool’s sense of injustice was exacerbated when Reading twice got away with flagrant fouls on Fernando Torres well inside
the 18-yard line.
Benitez said he was “not happyâ€
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RoyalBlue
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Hob Nob Subscriber
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[/b]Far Canal The Sunday Times
December 9, 2007
Liverpool stumble to defeat
Reading 3 Liverpool 1
By Joe Lovejoy a bitter scouser at Madejski Stadium
Whinge, whinge, penalties all wrong, whinge.
Last edited by RoyalBlue on 09 Dec 2007 11:56, edited 1 time in total.
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Fat Leather Jacket
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