Source: Daily_Mail
Raging Red Carragher slams Liverpool after FA Cup KO at hands of Reading
Head in hands: Carragher[LNB]Jamie Carragher offered no excuses for Liverpool's 'unacceptable' performance as Rafa Benitez's side crashed out of the FA Cup to Championship strugglers Reading.[LNB]The Reds lost 2-1 in extra-time at Anfield after one of their worst displays of a disappointing season.[LNB]Ryan Betrand's own goal gifted Liverpool the lead but a last-gasp penalty from Gylfi Sigurdsson forced extra time and Shane Long clinched the third-round replay with a header.[LNB]The home side's misery was compounded with the loss of Fernando Torres (knee) and Steven Gerrard (hamstring) with both players facing scans today (Thursday) to discover the extent of their injuries.[LNB]Defender Carragher said: 'It was a very bad night for Liverpool and we can't disguise that - wehad to do more against a side from a lower league.[LNB]'We have to apologise for the way we performed. We have to give creditto Reading, hold our hands up. We all like to win but when you don't,you have to be a good loser.[LNB]'We have to accept they deserved it. But, at the same time, we have gotto look at ourselves and the way we performed was not acceptable.[LNB]'We've got a massive game coming up against Stoke now. It will be verytough, as we played extra time and we have got to show enormouscharacter to come back.[LNB]'But that's what we have got to do. We have got to move on but, at thesame time, we have to say sorry to the fans who came to Anfield and allthose watching on TV.'[LNB] Head boy: Long (right) glances home Reading's winner leaving Cavalieri stranded[LNB]Liverpool are already out of the Champions League and Carling Cup and sit 12 points behind leaders Chelsea in the Premier League.[LNB]Thelatest setback came in the wake of Tom Hicks Jnr resigning from theboard following the storm over sending an offensive email to a fan.[LNB]Stoke and Tottenham are Liverpool's next opponents and vice-captain Carragher has demanded an immediate response.[LNB]Blow: Reds captain Gerrard[LNB]He added in the Liverpool Echo: 'We have got to do better and we have got to recover. There are still four months left of the season; it's been tough and this result has made it a little bit tougher for us.[LNB]'But we are Liverpool. We can't be where we are and we have got to improve. Liverpool Football Club demands certain standards. At the moment we are not reaching them and we know that but we have all got to come as one and stick together.[LNB]'The stuff that goes on off the field has got nothing to do with it. I don't think so anyway. If you say it has, you are only making excuses. Whatever goes on behind the scenes, we have got to do our own job.'[LNB]Diego Cavalieir was between the sticks on Wednesday night and the goalkeeper [LNB]'We still have two more targets,' he said. 'The first one is the top four in the Premier League. [LNB]'Stoke will be a difficult game this weekend, but we need to go there and try to get the three points. [LNB]'There is also the Europa League, and we will do everything to try and win that trophy.'[LNB]On a positive note, Argentina midfielder Maxi Rodriguez completed his £1.5million move for Atletico Madrid and Cavalieri added on the club's website: 'He is a good player. He has played well in Madrid and also for Argentina and I think he can help us. It is a good signing.'[LNB] Yossi Benayoun cracked rib fears as Torres and Gerrard wait for scansDo Liverpool have an Anfield curse? Their Reading embarrassment was eighth FA Cup home defeat in 17 years'Vulnerable' Liverpool are running out of answers, says former Kopite Jason McAteer Liverpool 1 Reading 2: Long goodbye - Shane's winner has Rafa reelingRafa rocked: Reading's dramatic win puts Liverpool boss Benitez on brinkLIVERPOOL FC
