Reading entertain Liverpool in the Premier League’s late kick off on Saturday. The Royals were tipped for great things this season, but have adversely defied all expectations and chosen to get embroiled in a potential relegation dog fight. Suprisingly though, Steve Coppell’s men lie 13th in the league on 14 points. They owe a lot to the seeming ineptitude of the teams below them, and they are only 3 points clear of the drop zone. Fulham, Spurs, and Bolton will all be keeping a close eye on Reading’s result on the weekend, as a defeat could open the door for any one of those teams to surge up the table.

They have the joint second worse goal difference in the league, along with Middlesbrough and Sunderland, and are second only to the hapless Derby County. Their defensive problems have come to the fore in losses to Arsenal, Fulham, (both 3-1), Blackburn (4-1), and of course, that famous 7-4 results at Fratton Park. Their squad has been hit with the news that Steve Coppell would be willing to let star players like Nicky Shorey and Leroy Lita leave in the transfer window, a deal which could see them receive around £10million in revenue. Add to that the recent bust up between Marcus Hahneman and Ibrahima Sonko after conceding a goal at The Riverside against Middlesbrough in their last match, and it seems that all is far from rosy in the Reading camp. Captain Graeme Murty has come out and said that there is no ill feeling between the two players, but the signs do not look good for the Liverpool game.

The Reds are in impressive form of late. Goals have come, and the defence has looked solid. The midfield as well, looks like one of the best in the business. Encouragingly for Liverpool fans, and annoyingly for England football fans, Steven Gerrard is back to his brilliant best. Those defence splitting passes, rampaging runs, and thunderous right-footed strikes have all returned to grace Anfield again. Another bright spot for Liverpool is how young centre-back Jack Hobbs acquitted himself after coming on for his debut against Bolton. He will be racing Jamie Carragher’s bruised ribs for a starting place this weekend, and, alongside Sami Hyypia, he has a more than competent mentor. Life is not all rosy for the Merseyside club though. Fabio Capello has revealed that he had been approached twice by Liverpool to be their manager, leaving Rafael Benitez undoubtedly feeling a little left out in the cold. There is no doubt though whose side the fans are on though, and Fernando Torres has warned the owners that should Rafael Benitez leave, then the Reds will be faced with a mass exodus of playing staff to boot. Not only that, it appears that the Reds biggest victory in the Champions League, and one of the catalysts for their good form, is being investigated as part of UEFA’s match fixing probe. We can only hope that no one at the club will be held accountable, lest our honourable reputation be tarnished like AC Milan’s, and Juventus. Having said that, UEFA have stated that no one at Liverpool or Besiktas will be held under investigation.

As for the match, Liverpool still have Jermaine Pennant, Xabi Alonso and Daniel Agger out injured. The ever-present Jamie Carragher will shrug off the bruised ribs he suffered in the clash with goalkeeper Pepe Reina against Bolton, and with the never-present Harry Kewell returning to full fitness nicely, Rafael Benitez can cross out new injuries as part of his list of things to worry about.

As for Reading, they still have Michael Duberry out with broken ribs, and Glen Little’s achilles injury doesn’t looks like clearing up any time soon. Other than that, they have the full squad to choose from. Steve Coppell will have to pull something big out of the hat to get anything from this game though. These two teams have only met four times, and Liverpool have got the better of the Royals in all four encounters.

Liverpool however, have been known to boss games like this in the past, and come away with a point, or worse. Usually, it is the opposing goalkeeper who has confounded the Reds, and in Marcus Hahneman, Reading have just such a player. The American has played every game for them this season, and although not as water tight as he was last season, he still has the ability to pull off match-saving or match-winning performances. Unfortunately for him, Fernando Torres can do that too. 11 goals in 17 games, despite not starting every game, will testify to that.