Coming into this match, we're on a high unparalleled by even our seven and six game undefeated Premiership runs earlier this season. An impressive dismantling of Arsenal at Anfield and a resounding victory at PSV Eindhoven are hopefully just the beginning of signs to come. The biggest disappointing coming from both those matches being the loss of Aurelio, while the most surprising aspect was probably the fact that neither Bellamy nor Sissoko played in those matches. Both should be starters tomorrow.
Reading on the other end of the spectrum, are seemingly on a downhill slide, unable to maintain their early season form that put the newly-promoted side far from relegation danger and returning to the Championship. They are winless in their last four matches, four of those being losses. That's a bit misleading since all three of those losses were on the road and Reading is a much better squad at Madejski Stadium, where they're undefeated in their last five ties, four of those being wins. Steve Sidwell, for one, is excited to play against Stevie-G.
I find it amazing that neither of these clubs have played one another at Reading. Reading has been around since 1871, 21 years before Liverpool FC was formed. So in 115 years of competition, the Reds have never traveled to Reading for a match. Will that play a factor in the result? Well, the 'Pool has not had the best away form this year, but have been better in the second half of the season. It really depends on the kind of result Rafa is looking for here and I don't see how a draw will benefit our club.
Coming up next... What will Rafa do?!... Stay tuned. Or not. I don't care. Heathens.