Long 100

Liverpool slumped to extra-time defeat at Anfield in their FA Cup third round replay against Championship strugglers Reading, losing Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard to injury in the process.

The Royals belied their status with a fine performance. But Liverpool were mostly awful. And although they were denied victory by a last-gasp penalty, they were lucky to get that close.

Rafa Benitez’s men led at half-time thanks to a stoppage time own goal. But Reading created the better chances in the opening period.

And while Liverpool controlled second-half possession, Jobi McEnuff nearly grabbed an astonishing 81^st minute equaliser.

This inspired a grandstand finish from his team, culminating in Gylfi Sigurdsson’s 92^nd minute penalty before substitute Shane Long headed the Royals’ winner ten minutes into extra-time.

Benitez signalled his intention to win the tie by selecting both Gerrard and Torres. But neither made the second half, Torres succumbing to a knee injury on 28 minutes and Gerrard replaced at half-time after a hamstring twinge.

Reading’s Grzegor Rasiak missed the best first-half chance on 21 minutes, side-footing Simon Church’s right-wing cross into the Kop with the goal at his mercy.

Liverpool took the lead when Gerrard’s cross was diverted into the net by Reading defender Ryan Bertrand.

Alberto Aquilani headed wide when well-placed on 71 minutes. Yet the game turned when McEnuff’s run took him past four defenders before he rolled the ball agonisingly wide of Liverpool keeper Diego Cavalieri’s left-hand post.

Cavalieri saved well from Sigurdsson on 90 minutes. However, moments later, Benayoun kicked Long on the ankle in the box, conceding a penalty which Sigurdsson converted with astonishing composure.

And Long grabbed the winner, glancing home Byrnjar Gunnarsson’s right-wing cross in front of the Kop.

Royals keeper Adam Federici saved well from Benayoun when the Israeli was sent clear five minutes later. And an unmarked David Ngog scuffed Liverpool’s last chance wide with nine minutes left.