25.9.07  CARLING CUP ROUND 3
Reading vs Liverpool 2-4 (PA Sport)


Fernando Torres hit a second-half hat-trick to earn Liverpool a place in the fourth round of the Carling Cup and send a timely reminder to coach Rafael Benitez.

Benitez had left the Spanish striker, signed for £24million from Atletico Madrid in the summer, out of the starting line-up for their last two Premier League matches.

But he returned with a vengeance to kill off battling Reading in a six-goal thriller at the Madejski Stadium.

Liverpool, unbeaten in nine games this season, made nine changes to the side which drew with Birmingham 0-0 at the weekend. Only captain Jamie Carragher and Alvaro Arbeloa survived.

Reading made eight changes to the side which defeated Wigan 2-1 with Nicky Shorey, James Harper and Michael Duberry the only ones to retain their places.

There was no hint of the drama to come after a disappointing opening to the tie. Reading should have gone ahead in the 20th minute when a cross from John Halls fell perfectly for Leroy Lita on the edge of the six-yard box.

But the Reading striker failed to beat Liverpool's debutant goalkeeper Charles Itandje who collected his downward header with ease.

Liverpool went ahead in the 23rd minute thanks to a magnificent piece of individual skill from Yossi Benayoun. He went on a solo run and beat Andre Bikey on the edge of the penalty area before firing a right-footed shot into the roof of the net.

However, the lead was shortlived as Reading were level in the 27th minute through Bobby Convey.

A corner from Nicky Shorey appeared to have been cleared by Momo Sissoko's header but the ball fell invitingly for Convey and his angled volley found its way into the corner of the net.

Torres, who had required lengthy treatment in the opening minute after a tackle by Bikey, went down again under a challenge from Duberry in the 34th minute.

But he managed to run off the knock to his left ankle once more as Liverpool attempted to restore their advantage.

However, it was Reading who almost stole the lead before the break and again it was Convey who provided the threat.

He looked certain to score his second of the game when the ball fell to him on the edge of the six-yard box but this time the Reading winger's volley was superbly saved by Itandje.

Liverpool spurned a real chance to restore their lead in the 48th minute when Torres set up Sebastian Leto but the Reds defender sent his shot wide of the far post.

But the Merseysiders were back in front a minute later when Leto sent Torres through the middle with a slide-rule pass.

The Spaniard made no mistake as he slipped the ball beyond Federici and into the corner of the net for the first of his terrific treble.

Moments later Bikey was booked for a foul on Torres as the Spaniard attempted to show him a clean pair of heels.

Torres probably did not think he would be taking part in the Carling Cup when he signed for the Reds in the summer but after being rested for Liverpool's last two Barclays Premier league games, he was clearly in the mood to send the right message to Benitez.

The Spanish superstar may have found his omission hard to reconcile but the goal took his tally for the season to four in six starts.

But while Torres was displaying all the reasons why Liverpool paid out £24million for him, Reading were far from finished.

In the 64th minute Liverpool failed to deal with another Reading corner adequately enough and when the ball fell to Halls, his quick footwork allowed him to send a low shot into the corner of the net for their second equaliser of the night.

But Torres struck for a second time in the 70th minute when he converted a low cross from substitute John Arne Riise to restore Liverpool's lead.

The Spaniard was now in his element and four minutes from the end he capped a superb performance with his hat-trick.

England midfielder Steven Gerrard, on as a late substitute, put Torres in the clear and he kept his cool to round Federici and slot the ball into the waiting net.

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Reading: Federici, Halls (Kitson 80), Duberry, Bikey, Shorey, De la Cruz, Harper, Convey (Hunt 80), Fae, Long (Henry 79), Lita.
Subs Not Used: Hahnemann, Cisse.

Booked: Bikey, Duberry, Fae.
Goals: Convey 28, Halls 64.

Liverpool: Itandje, Finnan, Carragher, Lucas (Hobbs 89), Aurelio (Riise 69), Arbeloa, Benayoun, Sissoko, Leto, Crouch (Gerrard 77), Torres.
Subs Not Used: Martin, Putterill.

Booked: Lucas.
Goals: Benayoun 23, Torres 50, 72, 86.

Att: 23,563.
Ref: Martin Atkinson (W Yorkshire).