Liverpool through despite late Reading rally
Peter Crouch scored what was to be the winning goal
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Wednesday, 25, Oct 2006 10:06
Liverpool scored four times at Anfield to beat a Reading side that offered little until a late rally during the final 20 minutes of the match, with three goals causing some nervous moments at Anfield in the Carling Cup.
Rafa Benitez made eight changes from that side that lost at Old Trafford at the weekend, with Jose Reina, Momo Sissoko and Steven Gerrard the only players to retain their places. Reading also made seven changes to the side that lost to Arsenal.
Liverpool were always in the ascendancy and Reading goalkeeper Graham Stack had to move sharply to tip Boudewijn Zenden's stinging shot from 20 yards out half way through the first-half.
Robbie Fowler opened the scoring on 43 minutes when Jermaine Pennant crossed from the right and the Kop favourite slotted home into the bottom left of the goal.
John Arne Riise then doubled the lead two minutes later, after Stack had saved his initial shot Riise was able to finish in the opposite corner with the second attempt.
In the second-half Liverpool added to their lead once more as defender Gabriel Paletta scored with a point-blank header following Pennant's in-swinging corner.
At this stage Liverpool were in cruise control and a full 25 minutes passed before Andre Bikey scored from a Glenn Little free-kick.
Peter Crouch then restored the advantage just two minutes later as he rounded the keeper from Fowler's through ball.
The visitor's then mounted their attempted comeback with Leroy Lita scoring on 80 minutes and three minutes later Little again provided an assist, this time for Sean Long to head home.
But the home side were able to hold on for the rest of the game to go into the fourth round.