Liverpool’s unbeaten record in the Premier League is now over. They had stuttered along the way, drawing six games out of 14, but by hook or by crook, they have always taken at least a point.

They have been playing their best football after earning three consecutive Premier League victories. In such form, defeat at Reading looked about as likely as a heatwave at Christmas. But that's what happened – and it felt like Liverpool were bitten by a pet dog rather than a snarling stray.

In a season in which they have conceded only two goals in their last seven away games, and coming after four consecutive clean sheets, a 3-1 reversal makes the pet dog bite even more unfathomable. As Rafa Benitez himself stated, certain decisions did go against Liverpool.

'The politics of Champions League qualification got in the way of Liverpool’s response. Torres was subbed.'


Reading's first goal came from a disputed penalty (the foul was clearly outside the box) and, with the score at 1-1 following a Steven Gerrard equaliser, Fernando Torres was clearly tripped in the penalty area. The biggest turning point of the game though was Reading's second goal. The highly dependable Pepe Reina let a floated free-kick and a crowded six-yard box get the better of him. The politics of Champions League qualification got in the way of Liverpool’s response. Torres was subbed.

Soon after, Gerrard was unlucky to hit the crossbar with a vicious shot from 25 yards. But immediately Liverpool were caught flat-footed as a very quick counter-attack which ended with James Harper racing clear, rounding Reina and coolly finishing in an empty net.

With a 3-1 deficit and 23 minutes left to save something, the response by the manager was once again dictated by the crucial upcoming Champions League game at the Stade Velodrome in Marseille on Tuesday night. Gerrard, who looked the most likely to score, was replaced by Ryan Babel. The final substitution, that of Sami Hyypia for Jamie Carragher, was as stimulating as a yawn.

As chances of a proper fight-back were sacrificed and, with a meeting with the club's American owners now very near, the balloon of next week’s commitments got pressurised even more. It is now up to Rafa and his chosen team  to lower that pressure and devote all their attentions to securing a place in the last 16 of the Champions League.

Then they can turn their attentions to the big one – their home game against Manchester United next Sunday.  Bartering in the meeting with George Gillett and Tom Hicks should come easier with the successful completion of both tasks.