Has Long tipped Rafa over the edge?

SUPERSUB Shane Long’s extra-time strike deservedly dumped Liverpool out of the FA Cup last night in a shock third round replay result that will pile further pressure on Rafael Benitez.

Gylfi Sigurdsson scored a stoppage-time penalty to help visitors Reading force extra-time in this FA Cup third-round replay at Anfield.

The unfortunate Ryan Bertrand had put Liverpool ahead in first-half injury time after deflecting Steven Gerrard’s shot into his own net.

Jobi McAnuff went close to scoring a wonder goal for the Royals before Yossi Benayoun’s foul on Long allowed Sigurdsson to coolly slot home from the spot.

The evening had started a lot better for Liverpool who confirmed that the deal to sign Argentina winger Maxi Rodriguez had been completed.

The 29-year-old winger penned a three-and-a-half-year deal Rafael Benitez’s side after spending four years in the Spanish capital.

After passing a medical and agreeing terms Rodriguez put pen to paper on the deal, which is subject to international clearance.

“We were looking for players with character and a good mentality,” said Benitez.

“He has played for Argentina and Atletico Madrid and is a player with personality.

“He can play in three positions – on the right, left or as a second striker – and is someone with a very positive mentality, which is what we are looking for.

“He is comfortable on the ball, can pass and keep possession. He is good at getting into the box and scoring goals and a good finisher. Every year he gets five to 15 goals from the right side of midfield.

“I know he was not doing as well as he did in the past at Atletico Madrid, but he is doing really well with Argentina and wants to impress for the World Cup.”

Rodriguez took a bow to Liverpool’s fans on the pitch before the game, with Anfield expecting a straight-forward passage into the fourth round and a home tie with Burnley.

Reading had other ideas, and they were quick to make their presence felt. And although Liverpool had the majority of the early possession, keeper Cavalieri had to make a fine save from Gylfi Sigurdsson’s free-kick and then a shot on the turn from Simon Church.

Liverpool were not comfortable and Reading should have taken the lead after 22 minutes when Church’s cross was allowed to reach the far post, where Grzegorz Rasiak somehow missed the target from three yards.

Liverpool’s problems worsened after 29 minutes when Torres went off injured and he was followed by Gerrard failed to appear after the break, the Liverpool skipper was believed to have suffered a hamstring strain.

Somehow Liverpool were still ahead after 80 minutes when McAnuff ran 60-yards right through Liverpool’s defence before side-footing wide from 12-yards with only Cavalieri to beat.

But soon Reading had their equaliser in injury-time when Benayoun was judged to have clipped Long’s heels, and Sigurdsson stepped up to fire home the penalty that took the tie into extra-time allowing Long to become a hero on the double when he converted his header in the 100th minute.

LIVERPOOL: Cavalieri, Agger, Insua, Carragher, Degen (Skrtel, 91), Aquilani, Gerrard (Babel, 46), Benayoun, Lucas, Torres (N’Gog, 30), Kuyt.

READING: Federici, Mills, Ingimarsson, Bertrand, Cisse (Howard, 59), Gunnarsson, Karacan (Long, 81), Sigurdsson, McAnuff, Church, Rasiak (Kebe, 65).

Referee: Phil Dowd.