Shane Long's extra-time goal gave Reading a deserved 2-1 victory over Liverpool in their FA Cup third-round replay at Anfield.
Sigurdsson and Long dump out sorry Liverpool
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.
| Liverpool |
Team Statistics |
Reading |
| 1 |
Goals |
2 |
| 1 |
1st Half Goals |
0 |
| 4 |
Shots on Target |
6 |
| 7 |
Shots off Target |
6 |
| 6 |
Blocked Shots |
2 |
| 9 |
Corners |
2 |
| 18 |
Fouls |
15 |
| 3 |
Offsides |
4 |
| 1 |
Yellow Cards |
4 |
| 0 |
Red Cards |
0 |
| 73.3 |
Passing Success |
56.9 |
| 24 |
Tackles |
34 |
| 75 |
Tackles Success |
70.6 |
| 65.7 |
Possession |
34.3 |
| 54.5 |
Territorial Advantage |
45.5 |
|
