Pieter Jansz Saenredam, Church of Santa Maria della Febbre, Rome
“Liverpool’s disastrous season plunged to new depths as they suffered a humiliating FA Cup exit at Anfield to Reading. The Reds lost Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres to injuries and were stunned by the Championship side, who forced extra-time before substitute Shane Long headed the winner in this third round replay. Gerrard had seen a shot deflected home by Reading defender Ryan Bertrand to give Liverpool the lead in the final seconds of the first-half.” (ESPN)

Liverpool hit new low as Reading triumph at Anfield
“This time there is no one else to blame but the players and manager of Liverpool FC. Mountainous debt, divided owners, balancing acts in the transfer market and injuries have excused, explained or disguised so many failings at Anfield this season but no more. Beaten, and deservedly so, at home in the third round of the FA Cup by a Reading team under caretaker management and languishing fourth from bottom of the Championship. Rafael Benítez will be lucky if the next email sent by a Liverpool director in Dallas is simply abusive.” (Guardian)

Liverpool woe as Torres out for six weeks
“Liverpool’s hopes of salvaging their season have suffered a serious setback with key trio Steven Gerrard, Fernando Torres and Yossi Benayoun all being sidelined. The club confirmed this afternoon the three players, all injured in last night’s humiliating FA Cup loss to Reading, will be out for varying lengths of time up to six weeks.” (Independent)

Liverpool trio hit by injuries to Torres, Gerrard and Benayoun
“Torres, who limped off during the FA Cup third-round defeat to managerless Reading at Anfield, is set to be out for up to six weeks as he prepares to go under the knife.” (Telegraph)

Fernando Torres’ surgery decision will have major implications for Liverpool and Spain
“Torres faces a choice of immense significance for Liverpool. Club or country? Who has more to play for in 2010. If the prolific forward does what is best for Spain, and misses two months of the new year on surgery and rehab, then certain other members of the Liverpool squad with one eye on South Africa might be tempted to ease up, conserving their energies for a potentially momentous summer.” (Telegraph – Henry Winter)