Steve Coppell’s Reading side handed Liverpool their first defeat of the season when the Royals beat the Reds 3-1 in their Saturday night game at the Madjeski. Liverpool were the only team in the Premiership not to have lost this season, but by the end of the night, one had to say that Reading were deserved winners.
Benitez chose to start youngster Jack Hobbs aside Carragher in central defence. Carragher brought down Icelandic international Brynjar Gunnarsson after a quarter of an hour just outside the box. The referee thought otherwise and pointed to the spot. Stephen Hunt converted from 12 yards out to give the Royals the lead.
Liverpool equalised through Steven Gerrard and nearly made it 2-1 when a shot from him hit the bar. Kevin Doyle put Reading ahead with his fifth goal of the season- a header close to the hour mark from a Nicky Shorey freekick.
8 minutes later, James Harper rounded Pepe Reina and gave Reading a two goal cushion.
Liverpool had their chances- Jack Hobbs could have scored on his debut, Torres headed wide from a Crouch cross. Harry Kewell could have been on the scoresheet himself.
Reading move to 12th in the league, and Liverpool have Marseille in the Champions League in midweek. Should the Reds lose, they will be out of Europe’s most prestigious cup competition.