Premier League: Liverpool 1 Reading 0

Liverpool posted just their third English Premier League victory at Anfield in 2012 as they earned a 1-0 win over Reading on Saturday.

Raheem Sterling struck the solitary goal, finishing well into the corner after a chipped through ball from Luis Suarez, who was wasteful throughout a clash Liverpool should have won by a greater margin.

Keen to atone for their limp showing against Stoke City, Liverpool began the game brightly, with Nuri Sahin shooting just over after a cut-back from Sterling.

The young winger was being given freedom by Reading and made the visitors pay with the opener on 29 minutes.

An intelligent first-time pass from Suarez put the 17-year-old through and, after taking a touch, he fired beyond Alex McCarthy to put Liverpool ahead.

The hosts continued to dominate the ball in the Reading half from that point, with Suarez awarded a rare free-kick just outside the area prior to the break.

But the Uruguayan wasted the chance as Liverpool went into half-time with a 1-0 lead.

It took just five minutes of the second half for Liverpool to go close again, as Suarez saw his shot across McCarthy well saved.

Reading almost got themselves on level terms after breaking with speed following that effort.

Garath McCleary beat Liverpool’s offside trap with ease but Australian goalkeeper Brad Jones – starting with Pepe Reina injured – was more than equal to his tentative attempt at the near post.

That miss brought Liverpool to life and Suarez should have done better than striking Sterling’s cross over following a delightful through ball from Sahin to start the attack.

Brendan Rodgers’ side went close twice in quick succession moments later with a McCarthy save from Gerrard’s shot and Jonjo Shelvey’s poor touch denying them a two-goal cushion.

The typically wasteful Suarez missed two glorious chances in a matter of seconds to make for a nervous finish.

But the hosts were let off for those misses as Reading failed to conjure an attack of real note, leaving Rodgers and Liverpool to collect a much-needed three points.