Official Match Analysis
 ROYALS V REDS: THE BIG-MATCH
VERDICT
A Fernando Torres hat-trick helped Liverpool progress to the fourth round of the
Carling Cup. Here's the pick of the post-match reaction. 
The presenter
The hat-trick may be an exciting pointer towards the goals to come, but the way Fernando
Torres kept his head after being kicked around the park by Michael Duberry and Andre Bikey
is a sure sign that he's capable of becoming an LFC legend in every sense of the word. Our
record signing oozes class both on and off the pitch - and I for one am off to put a
cheeky tenner on him getting another hat-trick at the weekend. Aside from him, I thought
Lucas was quietly effective on his first start, while Leto and Benayoun illustrated the
strength in depth we now have on the flanks. LFC TV
presenter Claire Rourke
The fan
Fitting how Torres scored a hat-trick on the night Robbie also scored for Cardiff. Finally
a player to justify the number nine shirt. After starting off on the back foot, we slowly
found our stride, with Lucas impressive with his distribution in the middle and Momo
bossing the midfield. Leto also gave his claim for more first team starts. Great cup tie,
great goals, great night's work. Blip well and truly over. Blue-eyedKopGirl,
LFC.TV message boards
Birmingham City's Cameron Jerome and Liverpool's
Jamie Carragher (right) battle for the ball (Photo: EMPICS) |
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 Liverpool's
Steven Gerrard (right) and Birmingham City's Wilson Palacios battle for the ball
(Photo: EMPICS)
The former player
Torres is a class act. You've got to have players like him who are unselfish but
also have that knack of being able to put the ball in the back of the net. He's also got
that other secret ingredient: pace. He's so quick and strong, and really has got
everything you need in a striker. David Johnson
The journalist
Fernando Torres was absolutely special, especially with the way he responded to the
two Reading defenders who were trying to bully him off the ball at every opportunity. He
showed pure class with the way he just picked himself up from their brutality and punished
them with a hat-trick of the highest quality. Maybe Rafa was right to rest him for the
last two Premier League games because he produced a special performance, and he might just
now go on and score a lot more goals in the Premier League. One thing is clear and that is
Liverpool have a truly special talent in Fernando Torres. Steve Hothersall, Radio
City
The boss
It was a terrific game for Fernando. With the space Reading left, it was good for
him and he is really dangerous in that space. He killed their defenders with his pace and
movement. But I cannot guarantee anything for the Wigan game! If I say that Fernando is
playing, then it will be easier for Wigan to prepare. So it will be better if I say
nothing! Rafa Benitez
The player
It was a good game to play in and watch - a typical cup tie. Reading gave their
all. It was always going to be tough but we needed that win after three draws. We're still
unbeaten though, so it's not too bad! We're delighted to be in the next round but now
we've got to look ahead to Wigan on Saturday and make sure we get the three points. Jamie Carragher
The opposition boss
We had a lot flashing across their goal, which we never really got on the end of.
We're disappointed because you set yourself up, you want to play against the best players
and that's where you make your reputation - by stopping these people from playing. For us
to come off seeing Torres score three - we've got to be disappointed about that. Steve
Coppell
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