Reading 0-0 Liverpool - Player Ratings

Starting Lineup

--------------------McCarthy-----------------

Gunter---Morrison---Mariappa---Kelly

McCleary--Karacan--Guthrie--McAnuff

------------Hunt----Pogrebnyak-----------

Subs: Carrico for Karacan (57 mins), Blackman for Pogrebnyak (73 mins), Le Fondre for Hunt (79 mins)

Alex McCarthy: 10

Hard to give the Reading keeper any other rating, and this isn't just hyperbole. I'm still stunned as to how he saved that Gerrard shot in particular, but the rest of his stops were equally good and just as important. He may have kicked one ball straight out of play... but we'll allow him that.

Chris Gunter: 6

Gunter still worries me - a rabbit in the headlights, he never wants to take more than one touch before getting rid of the ball. And whilst he saved a certain goal with his clearance off the line, he also gave the ball away in ridiculous fashion to Daniel Sturridge for another chance.

Sean Morrison: 7

Another solid performance from Morro, who's commanding in the air and strong in the tackle. On the whole the back four kept a good line, and the deep defending needed not only to protect against runs in behind, but also to distribute from the back, worked quite well. Played the final ten minutes injured after all subs had been used.

Adrian Mariappa: 7

His speed is what makes him work as a centre-back and that was especially important against the pace of Sturridge, Suarez and Coutinho. Made one crucial block from Gerrard in the first half and was otherwise solid.

Stephen Kelly: 7

A confident display from the right-back playing on the left side of defence. He supported McAnuff on the wing and dealt with the threat of the Liverpool forwards well.

Garath McCleary: 7

An impressive performance from the winger who took on Jose Enrique at every opportunity. Some neat interplay with those around him and his cross for McAnuff brought one of Reading's best chances.

Jem Karacan: 6

His game was ended early by injury but his scurrying style worked quite well against a Liverpool side constantly on the move. Kept it simple with his passing and harried at every opportunity.

Danny Guthrie: 7

Will continue to polarize opinion (Matejovsky syndrome) as a few of his passes went wayward. But in the second half, afforded more time and space, he was happy to drive forward with the ball and spread play.

Jobi McAnuff: 8

One of Jobi's better performances as he continually ran at Glen Johnson and for the most part got the better of him. A late penalty shout was rightly waved away but he worked hard in defence and in attack. Had a great chance saved. Would have been man of the match but for a certain goalkeeeper...

Noel Hunt: 7

Had Reading's best chance with a shot which Reina scrambled to save. Worked hard for the team in holding up the ball and spreading play. His first touch was occasionally poor but overall he worked to show Nigel Adkins that he deserves a new contract.

Pavel Pogrebnyak: 6

Another quiet display from the big Russian who just seems to have lost the edge he had at Fulham and to an extent early on at Reading. Ran the channels but doesn't quite have the pace or the aerial strength to be the force needed in this team.

---

Daniel Carrico: 8

We forgot that you were here! And welcome back, Daniel Carrico, who showed the doubters that he can play football, and play it quite well. A few moments stick in the memory - most notable a perfectly timed sliding tackle on Steven Gerrard.

Nick Blackman: 6

Not much time to make an impact but he also showed a willing to attack and a confidence to take a man on.

Adam Le Fondre: 6

Less time than usual for the super-sub to make an impact and he showed some neat touches without ever threatening Pepe Reina in the Liverpool net.

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