After what seems like a long International break, Liverpool played host to Reading looking for their first home win at Anfield this season.
As is the trend this season, youth and experience filled the lineup with Suso and Sterling in the 11 with Suarez and Gerrard and a change in goal with Brad Jones coming in for the injured Reina.
Liverpool went on the attack early with Nuri Sahin breaking through in the 15th minute to unleash a dipping shot and Sterling curled a shot from 20 yards out but neither troubled McCarthy in the away goal.
Suarez and Gerrard combined to send Sterling down the left wing but he lacked a decision and the ball went for a goal kick but minutes later, Suarez created an opening but looped a shot over the crossbar.
Reading had to restructure midway through the first half with Jem Karacan having to come off after a 50/50 with Gerrard which ended badly for him and Gareth McCleary came on in his place.
As the half hour mark approached, Suarez directed the ball through the Reading defence and in ran Raheem Sterling to guide the ball past McCarthy into the bottom corner and start a roar from the home fans and become the youngest scorer for Liverpool in the league since the famous Michael Owen.
It was nearly 2-0 when Suarez swayed past his marker and last a fiery shot through the box but sadly it hit the hoardings rather than the back of the net. In recent weeks, Suarez has been criticised for his so-called theatrics but in the 38th minute he was awarded a free-kick which saw the 40,000+ home crowd give a sarcastic round of applause.
The resulting set-piece came to nothing but just before the break, was a supposed foul by Kaspars Gorkss on Suarez which wasn't awarded but left the Uruguayan limping down the tunnel as the half time whistle went.
The second half began with Liverpool testing McCarthy via Sterling and Johnson but the lead stayed at one.
Reading had their first chance of the game as McCleary swooped in behind Wisdom but was denied by Jones in the Liverpool goal and Jones denied McAnuff within minutes after a long range strike.
Johnson was denied on the line as Liverpool pushed for a second but had to settle for a narrow win as the game came to an end and signalled a first home win of the season despite not being convincing.
As is the trend this season, youth and experience filled the lineup with Suso and Sterling in the 11 with Suarez and Gerrard and a change in goal with Brad Jones coming in for the injured Reina.
Liverpool went on the attack early with Nuri Sahin breaking through in the 15th minute to unleash a dipping shot and Sterling curled a shot from 20 yards out but neither troubled McCarthy in the away goal.
Suarez and Gerrard combined to send Sterling down the left wing but he lacked a decision and the ball went for a goal kick but minutes later, Suarez created an opening but looped a shot over the crossbar.
Reading had to restructure midway through the first half with Jem Karacan having to come off after a 50/50 with Gerrard which ended badly for him and Gareth McCleary came on in his place.
As the half hour mark approached, Suarez directed the ball through the Reading defence and in ran Raheem Sterling to guide the ball past McCarthy into the bottom corner and start a roar from the home fans and become the youngest scorer for Liverpool in the league since the famous Michael Owen.
It was nearly 2-0 when Suarez swayed past his marker and last a fiery shot through the box but sadly it hit the hoardings rather than the back of the net. In recent weeks, Suarez has been criticised for his so-called theatrics but in the 38th minute he was awarded a free-kick which saw the 40,000+ home crowd give a sarcastic round of applause.
The resulting set-piece came to nothing but just before the break, was a supposed foul by Kaspars Gorkss on Suarez which wasn't awarded but left the Uruguayan limping down the tunnel as the half time whistle went.
The second half began with Liverpool testing McCarthy via Sterling and Johnson but the lead stayed at one.
Reading had their first chance of the game as McCleary swooped in behind Wisdom but was denied by Jones in the Liverpool goal and Jones denied McAnuff within minutes after a long range strike.
The Reading surge died down as Sterling crossed for Suarez but his instant shot flew into the stand and Skrtel tried a header just over after connecting to Gerrard's cross.
Johnson was denied on the line as Liverpool pushed for a second but had to settle for a narrow win as the game came to an end and signalled a first home win of the season despite not being convincing.
A tough set of games coming up begins with the hosting of Russian moneybags Anzhi Makhachkala who sit top of the Russian League and on a long unbeaten run.
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