It is no longer a big surprise when Liverpool looses, considering they have lost 10 of their last 20 games.
But for a side already out of the Champions League and the title race, the FA Cup promised the best chance for silverware this season for Liverpool fans.
To add injury to insult for Rafa Benitez, he saw lost both Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres to injuries during the first half.
Liverpool had gone ahead in first-half stoppage time when Gerrard’s shot was deflected home by Ryan Bertrand but Gylfi Sigurdsson equalized for Reading deep into injury time to send the game into extra time. The goal boosted Reading, who were much the better team in extra time and it was no surprise when Shane Long headed home the winner in the 100th minute was no more than Reading deserved.
Pundits have been lamenting that the FA Cup has lost its magic. But consider that for the first time in 50 years that Liverpool and Man Utd will not be playing in the 4th round of the FA Cup. Is this the year that a team outside the big four lifts the cup at Wembley in May?