Liverpool vs. Reading: Final Score 1-0 as Reds topple Royals

Liverpool's victory against Reading at Anfield may have only been by one goal, but it was in truth a comfortable victory for the home side.

Brendan Rodgers' men dominated possession from the kick-off, and immediately created a string of chances as Reading failed to cope with their energy in midfield. Raheem Sterling went close after exchanging passes with Luis Suarez, but saw his goalbound shot blocked, before Nuri Sahin and Suarez both fired over the bar.

Liverpool have been accused of lacking a cutting edge at times this season, and their finishing again left a lot to be desired, until midway through the half. Raheem Sterling, collecting Luis Suarez's ball over the top of Reading's backline, produced a classy, composed finish to score his first ever Premier League goal and put the Reds 1-0 up.

As half-time drew to a close, referee Roger East was booed off the field by the home crowd, who were incensed at a number of free-kicks that he had failed to award to Luis Suarez after the Uruguayan was repeatedly fouled throughout the game. Those that feel that the striker's reputation precedes him will certainly have more incidents to add to their case.

When the second half resumed, it continued in much the same way as the first, with Reading struggling to stem the flow of Liverpool's attacks, although the Royals did look increasingly dangerous on the counter. After Raheem Sterling and Luis Suarez both tested Alex McCarthy, Reading almost equalised after countering through Gareth McCleary, breaking down the left and forcing a decent save from Brad Jones.

In the end, as the home crowd grew increasingly uneasy at the spurned chances and Reading counter-attacks, Sterling's goal proved enough as the final whistle came to give Liverpool their first home victory of the season. It was a largely unimpressive win against a side that was positioned in eighteenth place in the table, but Brendan Rodgers will be no less relieved for that. For Brian McDermott, he can be content with his side's display, but must be concerned about the extent to which they were overrun in midfield. Both teams will need to improve if they are to achieve their aims this season.