Liverpool 2 Reading 1

A wonder strike from Marek Matejovsky was not enough for Reading, as Liverpool came from behind to record their fifth successive league win.

Reading took the lead in the fifth minute. Stephen Hunt was fouled on the left hand side and John Oster’s driven pass found Matejovsky, whose first time shot rocketed into the top corner, clipping the bar on the way.

The Royals didn’t sit back after taking the lead, but Liverpool started to build momentum and equalised after 19 minutes through a rather good strike of their own.

Javier Mascherano was given too much time on the ball, and his well struck shot found the back of the net with Hahnemann unable to do anything about it.

Liverpool went in front early in the second half, when some poor marking left Fernando Torres with a free header for the striker to get his 27th goal of the season.

Reading tried hard to find an equaliser and enjoyed lengthy spells of posession as Liverpool sat back. Despite their best efforts the Royals were unable to find a way through until two minutes from time.

The ball fell kindly to substitute Dave Kitson in the box, and his goal bound effort was blatantly blocked by Steven Gerrard’s hand. Although the referee may not have seen it, the linesman had a clear view of it and showed no backbone in front of the Kop, keeping his flag well down.

On another day, Reading would have had a penalty but an all round abysmal performance from the officials meant the Royals left Liverpool with nothing.