Prev: Reading v Liverpool

After three defeats in a row Reading bounced back with a crucial victory over Wigan at the weekend.
We can now enjoy the distraction of the Carling Cup as Liverpool come to town, and 21,000 tickets have already been sold.

Vital Quotes: Steve Coppell

On Lita starting, and wanting more form him and others, “Leroy has not played particularly well, but that applies to a few.
“The whole squad isn’t near to its potential.
“In terms of forwards I’ve got top quality competition, like I’ve said many times.”

Reading Team News:

Lita returns to the squad, and will start this match, and Cisse, who has been out injured recently is fit enough, so will be in the squad too, along with young winger Henry, who has been in fine form for the reserves, with young keeper Andersen possibly joining him. However, Sonko is not quite ready, while Mate is still out.
Federici, De La Cruz, Halls, Fae and Long are expected to come in as Coppell rings the changes.

Player to watch: Leroy Lita

It was Doyle who was left out of the squad last week, Lita at the weekend. So like Doyle he will be looking to make a point when he returns, especially after all the off the field allegations surrounding him.

Liverpool Team News:

Agger, Alonso and Kewell are all out, but probably would have been left out by Benitez, who likes to rotate his players, anyway, so he will certainly do that here.
Goalkeeper Itandje and defender Hobbs are in line for their debuts. Finnan, Aurelio, Lucas, Benayoun and Leto could all feature, with Torres and Crouch likely to start up front.

Player to watch: Fernando Torres

The £20m plus man has not looked very happy at sitting on the bench in the last two Liverpool matches, both games in which the Reds have failed to score, so he will have a point of his own to prove.

Match Facts & Stats

These two sides met in this very round last season at Anfield, with Liverpool coming through 4-3 after a Reading fight-back.

Ref Watch:

Martin Atkinson

Match Prediction:

Both sides will make changes, depending on how many Liverpool make Reading will be fancying this match, as they should anyway. It might need extra time and penalties but we might just do it.

Next Fixture: Portsmouth

@ Fratton Park on Saturday, 15.00.