Rafael Benitez was under renewed pressure as Liverpool manager last night after the club's torrid season reached a new nadir with an FA Cup third-round exit following a 2-1 loss to managerless Reading.
A campaign that has witnessed a Champions League group exit, defeat in the Carling Cup fourth-round and no Premier League title challenge produced further misery for Benítez as Shane Long's extra-time header condemned Liverpool to a humiliating upset and an FA Cup departure at the first hurdle. Anfield officials have repeatedly insisted the Spaniard has a long-term future at the club, and much depends on whether he can revive the club's season and qualify for the Champions League. But the Liverpool manager himself accepted speculation on his position was inevitable following a dreadful performance and deserved defeat to a Reading team languishing fourth from bottom of the Championship.
"In the last three months a lot of people have spoken about me and that will happen. I have to just keep moving forward and working hard," said Benítez. "How do I cope with the talking and the pressure? I try to do the best I can. From the pre-season we have been a little bit frustrated, but we have to carry on. We have to move as quickly as possible. The players are very disappointed. We are all disappointed. It's not the best season. Sometimes you have bad moments and sometimes better moments. At this time we have to carry on and be ready for the next game. We have to be focused on football."
Liverpool, who had their new signing Maxi Rodríguez watching from the stands after the Argentinian midfielder completed his transfer from Atlético Madrid before kick-off, lost Fernando Torres to a twisted knee and Steven Gerrard with a hamstring problem after Ryan Bertrand's own goal had given the home side a first-half lead. Yossi Benayoun also complained of a rib injury after the game.
Benítez admitted: "I have a big job to repair spirits before the Stoke game on Saturday. It will be difficult, we have to see what the doctor says about Gerrard and Torres. We have to wait until tomorrow when both will have a scan. Gerrard has some problems with his hamstring and Torres has twisted his knee."
Liverpool were taken into extra time by a 93rd-minute penalty won by Long, with Benítez cryptically suggesting he was annoyed at referee Phil Dowd's decision, although he refused to elaborate on the source of his grievance. Benitez added: "There were a lot of things I didn't like. We were playing 91 minutes and we were winning. In the second half we started much better and had some control, but then we made some mistakes. What things didn't I like? It's better not to say too much.
"It was really bad. Everybody wanted to progress and we are really disappointed. Reading were working really hard, but there were a lot of things I didn't like on the pitch. But you can't change the result. We had chances and they had chances and they took their chances. They did well but we could have won. We have to improve defensively. We knew this was a massive competition and we wanted to progress as much as we can. At this moment we are really disappointed for the fans. They were supporting the team and we couldn't win for them. We're really disappointed."
For Reading's caretaker manager, McDermott, however, the club's first-ever victory at Anfield was a night to savour and, he hopes, a step closer to gaining the manager's position full-time. He said: "I thought we deserved it. We played some really good stuff. Their goal could have hurt us but we responded well and I am chuffed for everybody. To come here and win is terrific."