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Liverpool v Reading. Match preview

Last updated : 03 November 2006 By Angus Muller
After finally fielding the same team for the first time in 100 games, injuries to Luis Garcia and Xabi Alonso will force Liverpool into changes.

Craig Bellamy remains a doubt and Jermaine Pennant is set to start.

Reading midfielder Stephen Hunt is back in contention after sitting out the game at Portsmouth, but skipper Graeme Murty is unlikely to make his comeback.

The defender stays on the sidelines along with Dave Kitson, John Halls, Peter Mate, Simon Cox and Aaron Brown.

Liverpool (from): Reina, Finnan, Carragher, Hyypia, Agger, Riise, Aurelio, Pennant, Sissoko, Gerrard, Fowler, Crouch, Kuyt, Martin, Bellamy, Garcia, Alonso, Zenden, Warnock, Paletta.

Reading (from): Hahnemann, Gunnarsson, Ingimarsson, Sonko, Shorey, Little, Sidwell, Harper, Convey, Doyle, Seol, Lita, Long, de la Cruz, Bikey, Oster, Hunt, Federici.

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez:
"Reading are a good team, they have a good manager. "I've seen games before we played them in the Carling Cup and they know what to do. I was impressed with their team. "People think that maybe it is an easy game against Reading. We need to be careful because it can be a difficult game, but we have confidence."

Reading keeper Marcus Hahnemann on playing at Anfield:
"No disrespect to other teams but it is better than going to Swansea, Southend or Burnley.

"We are going to Anfield. This is every kid's dream and we are still living the dream every day.

"One of the strongest memories I have of growing up was of John Barnes, Ian Rush and Bruce Grobbelaar playing for Liverpool against Everton.

"That's the stuff you remember and to have the chance to play in the huge stadium of Anfield is phenomenal."