Reading 3-1 Liverpool: Rafa Strikes Again

Liverpool fans (me included!) will be groaning yet again after this completely self inflicted defeat. The dreaded 'r' word of rotation will be cropping up yet again and I'm sure the Liverpool fans collective groan at the team selection could be heard up and down the country as Rafa Benitez couldn't resist reverting back to his tinkerman approach.

Liverpool started the game reasonably well showing the confidence of their recent winning run but didn't really threaten Reading. Reading then got a controversial penalty when Jamie Carragher was adjudged to have fouled Gunnarsson inside the box. It was arguably the first of three or four big decisions the referee got wrong. Shortly after Liverpool equalised through Gerrard after Torres superbly took down Reina's clearance to play him in.

Liverpool were now looking reasonably comfortable and early in the second half looked set to go on and win the game. However they were still not really creating clear chances and lacked penetration and width from midfield. They were made to pay for not converting their pressure to a goal when Doyle got a faint touch to Shorey's free kick to give Reading the lead. Torres was denied what looked a clear penalty and then missed a half chance with a diving header. Shortly after Liverpool were given a mountain to climb when Harper outpaced Riise and took the ball round Reina to put Reading 3-1 ahead. Gerrard hit the bar with a superb strike but Benitez then added to his collection of strange selection decisions by taking off his skipper Gerrard with 20 minutes to go. Kewell and Crouch (twice) both went close but Liverpool ultimately couldn't get back into the game.

All in all you were left with the feeling that if Rafa Benitez had selected a slightly more balanced, stronger team then Liverpool would have won. To start with Crouch up front and a midfield that had no width or pace to put anything on his head was baffling to say the least.

EPL Saturdays Games - Reading vs Liverpool

Rafael Benitez is at last starting to say what we Liverpool fans have all hoped for. He is to play Torres for the second games in a row against Reading! In a must win game for the Premier League hopefuls Liverpool's manager appeared to hint today that Fernando Torres will start against Reading despite the Marseilles game being only three days later and the six-pointer against Manchester United being the weekend after.

This season is turning out like the 2005/06 season for Liverpool to some extent. Then they started with a miserable 3 wins out of 8, found the midfield four of Gerrard, Alonso, Sissoko and Kewell and promptly launched into title winning form. Rafa now appears to be finding the blend except this time they are in a much healthier position in terms of Premier League points.

Liverpool's Manager really is an enigma at times. He has the best win rate since Bob Paisley at 60% yet you always feel that but for a little less rotation his teams could get that little bit nearer the Premier League the Liverpool fans crave.

My best eleven is: Reina, Finnan, Carragher, Agger (when fit) Arbeloa, Gerrard, Mascherano, Alonso, Kewell, Torres, Babel

For Saturday Liverpool are still without Alonso, Pennant, Aurelio and Agger. Reading meanwhile are still without Michael Duberry and Glenn Little.

I'd bank on a Liverpool win for this one. Reading have picked up clean sheet in 12 and have only got one point from the last 12. I'm not saying the will go down but they really are relegation fodder for the likes of Liverpool. My prediction - a comfortable Liverpool win providing Rafa doesn't come up with the selection from hell!!