Published: Saturday, 2nd January, 2010 5:00pm

Royals earn Anfield replay after Liverpool draw

by Anthony Smith

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READING have secured a dream FA Cup third round replay at Anfield after holding Premier League giants Liverpool to a 1-1 draw at the Madejski Stadium.

Simon Church gave the Royals a shock first-half lead only for Steven Gerrard to score what proved to be the equaliser soon after.

But Royals were more than a match for Rafa Benitez's star-studded side who sit 33 places above them in the football pyramid and have an abundance of riches at their disposal.

Yet on the night there was nothing between the sides and if Reading play like this for the rest of the season they will have no problem staying up.

They were sharp, energetic and showed little respect to reputations in this sell-out, televised clash.

If anything the mouthwatering tie was a pleasant distraction to the team's struggles in the Championship having been thumped 4-1 at lowly Plymouth on Monday.

Caretaker boss Brian McDermott made three changes to that side with Matthew Mills, a £2 million frustrated figure through lack opportunities, replacing Alex Pearce in central defence.

Jem Karacan got the nod in midfield instead of Marek Matejovsky, who did not even make the bench through injury, while Grzegorz Rasiak came in for Shane Long up front.

But there was no start for Brian Howard whose historic injury time goal at Anfield saw Barnsley knock Liverpool out of the competition two seasons ago.

McDermott was tinkering rather than making wholsesale changes in the way Steve Coppell used to. The ex-Royals boss changed nine player at this stage last season resulting in a 2-0 defeat at Cardiff.

But with a relegation battle to fight in the Championship, McDermott could not risk a second battering in a week and the further damage it could do to fragile confidence.

As for Liverpool, two names on their teamsheet signalled Bentez's intentions as both Gerrard and Fernando Torres started to the delight of both sets of supporters.

It looked a miss-match on paper but there was nothing between the sides in the first quarter.

Royals winger Jobi McAnuff put the ball in the Scousers' net 14 minutes in but it was ruled out for a foul on Reds keeper Pepe Reina by Rasiak.

However, it was a warning the illustrious visitors failed to heed and Royals got the breakthrough they deserved with 24 minutes gone.

The inspired McAnuff forced a cynical challenge out of Reds left-back Emiliano Insua who was booked for his troubles.

Ryan Bertrand whipped in the resulting free-kick and Rasiak did brillliantly to hook it back into the six yards where it struck Church's shin and bounced past Reina into the back of the net.

The Mad Stad erupted and Benitez looked worried amid taunts of `you're getting sacked in the morning.' from the jubilant Royals fans.

Until that point the Premier League giants had offered little going forward other than efforts from Fabio Aurelio and David N'Gog which drifted harmlessly wide.

However, with players like Torres and Gerrard in they can turn the match in an instant and the equaliser came in the 36th minute, albeit with the aid of some good fortune.

There were plenty of defenders back inside the Reading box when Gerrard curled in a cross intended for Dirk Kuyt, who was played onside by Mills.

And Kuyt's run clearly confused and Adam Federici as the ball continued its original path and nestled into the far corner.

It was harsh on McDermott's men who were playing their best football under the caretaker boss, and might have had an earlier penalty when Gylfi Sigurdsson was pulled down by Martin Skrtel.

But even though Aurellio went close to putting Reds in front on the stroke of half-time, the hosts were still well in the game.

It was a rare moment of joy in an otherwise depressing season and it wasn't long before Royals fans were chanting Coppell's name as he sat in the ITV commentary box.

The theme was predictable. `We want our Coppell back,' and `Coppell is a Royal,' will have raised a smile on the face of the old boss, who has not ruled out a return to Madejski Stadium.

Back on the field Torres fired over early in the second-half then Sigurdsson replied with a 25-yard rocket that was too hot for Reina to handle.

As for Royals keeper Federici, his evening ended early when he pulled up with what looked like a hamstring problem clearing a ball into touch.

The Aussie stopper could play no further part and made way for Ben Hamer in the 69th minute, by which time Reds' £20 million signing Alberto Aquilani had come off the bench.

Aquilani had only been on seven minutes when he bundled the ball over the Reading line from a corner but the goal was disallowed for push on a relieved Hamer.

And the youngster boosted his confidence shortly after by snaffling the ball off Torres' toe as he burst through.

The Spanish ace was not having the best of nights and, with the chance to send Reds through, he sent a free header over the bar in time added on.

Royals raised hopes of a last-gasp winner when they won a corner but Liverpool desperately cleared their lines.

Nevertheless, it was a stunning and unexpected result for the Royals who deservedly earned themselves a money-spinning replay at Anfield on Wednesday, January 13 (8pm).

Reading (4-4-2): Federici (Hamer 69) - Gunnarsson, Ingimarsson (c), Mills, Bertrand - McAnuff, Cisse (Howard 74), Karacan, Sigurdsson - Church, Rasiak (Long 77). Subs not used: Tabb, Kebe, Robson-Kanu, Pearce. Booked: Mills 90.

Liverpool (4-4-2): Reina - Darby, Skrtel, Carragher, Insua - Kuyt, Gerrard, Leiva, Aurelio (Benayoun 80)- N'Gog (Aquilani 68), Torres. Subs not used: Cavalieri, Kyrgiakos, Babel, Spearing, Degen. Booked: Insua 23.

Referee: Martin Atkinson (Yorkshire).

Attendance: 23,656 (Liverpool 3,908).

Reading three changes

Liverpool strong side with gerrard and torrres

Steve Coppell in ITV commentary box.

not ruled out a return, but royals not been in contact.