Liverpool reach a new nadir

Liverpool's chances of bagging a domestic trophy this season melted away faster than the snow covering much of the country last night as they were dumped out of the cup by Championship side Reading.

One misery follows another for the Anfield club, already 12 points adrift and in seventh place in the Premier League, and out of the Champions League. But they keep reaching new nadirs.

Leading one-nil and deep into injury time, a penalty thwarted their hopes of seeing off the Berkshire Royals, who equalised from the spot and then went ahead through Shane Long's header in extra time. It proved to be enough.

Liverpool started with both Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard, but lost Torres to a twisted knee after half an hour, and Gerrard to a hamstring strain at half-time. Replacements David Ngog and Ryan Babel didn't quite match up.

How long Liverpool fans - who booed their team off at the end - can stand for this is open to question. They must be numbed by the dismal failure of the team, and thus, of manager Rafa Benitez, to pull things round. An optimistic end to last season has disintegrated yet again.

Will fourth place (to qualify for next season's Champions League), or being crowned Europa Cup winners be good enough?