Reading 2-4 Liverpool

It was a Torres night for the Royals as they crashed out of the Carling Cup for the second year against Liverpool. Once again Reading put on a great show against the might of the Reds, but it was £24million striker Fernando Torres who stole the show with a terrific hat-trick.

After taking the lead through Yossi Benayoun, Reading hit back in magnificant style as Bobby Convey let fly with a thunderous volley from the edge of the box. Liverpool regained the lead through Torres, but John Halls scored to level the game once more.

It was Torres though that proved to be the difference. A neat finish inside the box made it 2-3 and with four minutes to go, Torres broke the offside trap to round Federici for his third. A great cup night at the Madstad and Reading will take heart from a spirited performance ahead of their clash with Portsmouth on Saturday.

Match Reports
Torres wins it for Liverpool (Reading FC)
Torres hat trick sinks Reading (Back the Boys)
Reading 2-4 Liverpool (BBC Sport)
Torres runs Reading ragged (Sky Sports)
Torres Hat-trick Puts Reds Through (Sporting Life)
Torres proves value (Telegraph)
Torres returns with a tumultuous treble (Guardian Unlimited)
Torres Trio Sinks Royals (4thegame)