Liverpool recorded their first home victory of the Premier League campaign with a 1-0 win over Reading this afternoon.
The Reds created plenty of chances, but only hot prospect Raheem Sterling had that clinical touch required to find the back of the net.
Reading had a few chances of their own in the second half as Brendan Rodgers's side started to live dangerously. So, was 1-0 a fair reflection of the match?
Sports Mole takes a closer look at the 90 minutes.
Match statistics:
Liverpool:
Shots 23
On target 13
Possession 56%
Corners 6
Fouls 13
Reading:
Shots 8
On target 5
Possession 44%
Corners 5
Fouls 6
Was the result fair?
Yes. Liverpool did more than enough to win the game with the amount of chances they created and the possession they maintained. They lived dangerously in the second half, but if anything, they should have beaten Reading by more than one goal.
Liverpool's performance
Brendan Rodgers's side played some good, free-flowing football in the first half and passed Reading off the park. They took their foot off the accelerator in the second period, and almost let the visitors back into the game on more than one occasion, but overall the Reds boss should be pleased. However, their lack of an out-and-out goalscorer to partner Luis Suarez remains painfully apparent.
Reading's performance
Brian McDermott's side defended well under intense pressure in the first half, but always looked vulnerable to the Liverpool counter-attack whenever they ventured forward. Gareth McCleary should certainly have scored for the Royals in the second half, but overall they didn't do quite enough to deserve anything from the game.
Sports Mole's man of the match
Joe Allen: The Welsh midfielder looked as comfortable pressing forward as he did dropping back to defend this afternoon. Most of Liverpool's counter-attacks involved at least one of his pinpoint passes and his work rate could not be faulted.
Biggest gaffe
Reading's Jem Karacan thinking he could get the better of Steven Gerrard in a challenge. The Turk came a cropper in this instance and had to be substituted. The Liverpool skipper does not hold back!
Referee performance
Roger East didn't have an easy task on his hands today. Suarez is well known for his theatrics, but the man in charge called most of the challenges he was involved with correctly, despite the efforts of vociferous Anfield crowd to swing things in their team's favour. He did wrongfully penalise Glen Johnson for a stoppage-time tackle, but it had no bearing on the outcome of the match.
What next?
Liverpool: With their first home win of the Premier League campaign under their belt, Liverpool have the fire and brimstone of a Merseyside derby to look forward to next weekend when they take on Everton at Goodison Park.
Reading: Today's defeat leaves the Royals in the relegation zone, a situation they will be hoping to rectify when they play Fulhan at home next weekend.
