Ian ConstantineFA Cup: Liverpool Out
January 14th 2010 01:56
:
FA Cup
Liverpool follow Manchester United out of the competition
Liverpool 1 Reading 2 [aet] @ Anfield
Whoever said that the FA Cup no longer surprises will need to rethink that philosophy as Reading produced a stunning 2-1 FA Cup third round replay victory at Anfield.
Reading caretaker manager Brian McDermott's side produced what was arguably their best performance of a lacklustre season so far as they looked anything but a team that has failed to win any of their last five league matches and have spent all season in the bottom eight of the Championship
Liverpool had led rather fortuitously through a first-half own-goal - deflected in by Reading defender Ryan Bertrand off Steven Gerrard's cross. Despie being under pressure for most of the first 90 minutes Reading equalised with a Gylfi Sigurdsson penalty in injury-time after a foul on substitute Long.
Despite expectations that Liverpool would step up a gear in extra-time it was Reading that siezed the initiative as the Reds decended into a shambles. Ten minutes into the added period Shane Long capped a stunning comeback for the Championship strugglers as he headed in the winner and they comfortably held on to knock Liverpool out of the FA Cup at Anfield.
This was Reading's first victory at Anfield and their reward is a fourth-round tie at home to Burnley.
The loss both Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres to injuries in the first half only added to the air of despondency around the ground. Liverpool fans will be optimistic that both will be back for upcoming premiership games - Torres fell awkwardly and was replaced by Ngog while Gerrard was withdrawn for Babel at half time after a hamstring twinge.
The only good news for Liverpool fans was the announcement of the signing of Argentina international Maxi Rodriguez on a free transfer from Atletico Madrid.
Liverpool 1 Reading 2 [aet] @ Anfield
Long scores
Whoever said that the FA Cup no longer surprises will need to rethink that philosophy as Reading produced a stunning 2-1 FA Cup third round replay victory at Anfield.
Reading caretaker manager Brian McDermott's side produced what was arguably their best performance of a lacklustre season so far as they looked anything but a team that has failed to win any of their last five league matches and have spent all season in the bottom eight of the Championship
Liverpool had led rather fortuitously through a first-half own-goal - deflected in by Reading defender Ryan Bertrand off Steven Gerrard's cross. Despie being under pressure for most of the first 90 minutes Reading equalised with a Gylfi Sigurdsson penalty in injury-time after a foul on substitute Long.
Despite expectations that Liverpool would step up a gear in extra-time it was Reading that siezed the initiative as the Reds decended into a shambles. Ten minutes into the added period Shane Long capped a stunning comeback for the Championship strugglers as he headed in the winner and they comfortably held on to knock Liverpool out of the FA Cup at Anfield.
This was Reading's first victory at Anfield and their reward is a fourth-round tie at home to Burnley.
The loss both Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres to injuries in the first half only added to the air of despondency around the ground. Liverpool fans will be optimistic that both will be back for upcoming premiership games - Torres fell awkwardly and was replaced by Ngog while Gerrard was withdrawn for Babel at half time after a hamstring twinge.
The only good news for Liverpool fans was the announcement of the signing of Argentina international Maxi Rodriguez on a free transfer from Atletico Madrid.
Maxi Rodriguez
| 66 |
| Vote |
Add To: 
subscribe to this blog
