Liverpool 2, Reading 1. A good win. Easily could have been a "letdown" game after the crushing away victory at PSV. Liverpool controlled early, then Reading for a stretch after their first goal. Reds were lucky to not be down 2-1 after a Reading shot from the box hit the post. Kuyt's header (Pool's second goal) was a strong finish to an excellent cross by Pennant.

FF

Just finished watching Liverpool's convincing 3-0 win over PSV.

First half was actually reasonably even. Neither side played brilliantly or terribly. Liverpool's defense looked stout. PSV never mounted a cohesive attack on Reina's goal, although it had a couple stray chances. Offensively, there was some great communication between Gerrard and Kuyt on Gerrard's goal, with Kuyt bending in half to give Gerrard a clear shot at the header.

The second half started with Pool up 1-0, but PSV played like it had given up. Liverpool completedly controlled and dominated the second period, scoring two goals within about twenty minutes from half, and otherwise owning the ball and the game. Riise's goal (from a horrible PSV clearance) was a high speed slice shot that beat Gomez from 30 yards. The third goal was a Crouchinho header on a great cross from Finnan. The second half was truly an embarrassing performance for PSV. They looked like amateurs.

It will be interesting to see who Benitez plays for (a) Saturday's game against Reading and (b) the home game against PSV.

FF

Wow. The Reds destroy PSV 3-nil away. I didn't see the game, because today was an exceptionally bad workday, but I'll watch it on uefa.com in the next 48 hours and post something.

FF

Liverpool crushed Arsenal 4-1 on Saturday. With the new baby (Fan Futbolito), making it to the pub for a 6:45 am kickoff wasn't happening. A pleasing win, particularly given the hammerings they laid on us earlier this season, but the truth is that Arsenal has completely given up on this trophyless season. So it's not the same as a real win over Arsenal...more like a preseason win.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, the CL returns tomorrow, with Liverpool against PSV in the quarters. The Reds are favored, and they handled PSV in the group stages, but I'm nervous. This is just the sort of game the boys could take lightly and, as a result, play poorly. A clean sheet here for Reina would be very, very nice.

FF