Preview: Reds v Reading

Liverpool cross swords with Reading once more this evening as the two sides contest the FA Cup third round replay at Anfield.

The Championship club held the Reds to a 1-1 draw at the Madejski Stadium earlier this month and will travel to Merseyside fuelled with confidence following their battling display.

However, the Royals have been beaten on each of their three visits to Anfield - most recently in March 2008 when goals from Javier Mascherano and Fernando Torres secured a 2-1 victory for Liverpool in the Barclays Premier League. 

The winners of the tie will face Burnley at home in round four on Saturday, January 23.

The opposition

Like Liverpool, Reading's weekend fixture fell foul of the weather meaning the Royals have not been in action since claiming a draw against Rafael Benitez's side in Berkshire.

The postponement of their clash with Newcastle United saw Reading slip to 21^st in the Championship and they hover precariously just two points above the relegation zone having played a game more than Plymouth.

However, the mood at the Madejski was boosted by their spirited performance against Liverpool and the Royals will be hoping they can reach those levels again in front of the Kop - with caretaker boss Brian McDermott admitting he is relishing the occasion.

"I'm sure Rafa will field a strong team as like us they didn't have a game this weekend," he said.

"But if you ask any footballer they'll say that they always want to play against the best players in the game.

"We have to make sure we are prepared as well as we can be and we'll be looking to win the game and play a full part in the fixture and progress into the fourth round.

"We'll speak about the history of the place before the game and I think it's important that the players do relish the experience and enjoy it.

"Anfield is one of the most famous stadiums in the world and it's a terrific place with a fantastic atmosphere."

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The boss

Brian McDermott - no relation to Kop legend Terry - was installed as Reading's caretaker manager in mid-December following the departure of Brendan Rogers.

The 48-year-old coach took up a scouting position with the Royals at the turn of the century, before going on to manage the U18 and reserve teams.

He'd previously cut his managerial teeth with hometown club Slough, as well as Woking Town.

McDermott's first game in charge of Reading resulted in a 1-1 draw against Bristol City as he began his attempt to navigate them away from the Championship drop zone.

The danger man

Livewire winger Jobi McAnuff proved a handful for Liverpool's rearguard at the Madejski Stadium 10 days ago.

The 28-year-old joined Reading on a three-year deal in the summer after impressing for Watford.

Ironically, his debut for the Royals came in a 1-1 home draw with the Hornets.

McAnuff previously made his name with MK Dons and Crystal Palace and also had a spell with West Ham.

Skilful with excellent crossing ability, the wide-man will need to be closely monitored by the Reds' backline.

Match stats
By Ged Rea

Fernando Torres scored his first Liverpool hat-trick at Reading in a League Cup tie in September 2007. He has scored four goals for the Reds in four appearances against the Royals.

Yossi Benayoun scored his first Liverpool goal against Reading in the same match.

Steven Gerrard's equaliser in the first game was his 10^th FA Cup goal for the club. He became the 14^th Liverpool player to reach double figures in the competition.

The Liverpool captain is one of three players who won the FA Cup in 2006 still at the club. The others are Pepe Reina and Jamie Carragher. Yossi Benayoun was in the West Ham side that day.

Dirk Kuyt has scored twice for Liverpool in this competition and both times the Reds have been knocked out. He found the net against Arsenal in 2007 and Barnsley a year later.

Liverpool have lost to lower Division opposition 22 times in the competition, while they have also gone out at this stage on 22 occasions.

The Reds have won all three meetings between the clubs on this ground - scoring eight goals and conceding four.

Liverpool have won five and lost five of their last 10 FA Cup replays, coming out on top in only one of the last four.

The Reds have played in the FA Cup seven times on January 13. The last occasion in 1993 saw them lose 2-0 to Bolton at Anfield.

Reading have scored in six of the seven previous meetings with Liverpool with the Reds having scored in every game.

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