Torres clinches it: But it's a wonder goal from Mascherano that brings the Kop alive

Not surprisingly, Fernando Torres netted the winner to take his tally this season to 27 goals in 36 games. He is now the first Liverpool player since Robbie Fowler a dozen years ago to hit 20 league goals in a campaign.

But if Torres's heroics are expected, Mascherano is the unlikely lad in front of goal — and perhaps that is why his first career league goal ever drew the biggest cheer of the afternoon.

At the 38th attempt for West Ham and Liverpool, Mascherano struck gold with a goal that was as brilliant as it was vital. His equaliser helped Liverpool turn defeat into victory and keeps them as odds-on favourites to clinch fourth place ahead of Everton.

Once Torres put them in the lead after 48 minutes, they just about kept their noses in front against a spiky Reading side, whose passion for the cause led to a most public spat between manager Steve Coppell and his striker Shane Long. The visitors were also aggrieved when Steven Gerrard appeared to get away with blocking a goalbound Dave Kitson shot with his hand.

"I saw the penalty Aston Villa got against Middlesbrough last week," said Coppell, whose side lie perilously above the relegation zone but who will surely be safe if they carry on playing like this.

"Compared to that one, this was nailed on. Gerrard scrunched his arms out and the ball hit his hand on the way to goal. I just wish there was a directive given to players so we know what is a penalty and what isn't."

Rafa Benitez signed Mascherano for £18 million earlier this month for his dogged tackling and hard running. Now that the little Argentine — known in South America as The Monster — has broken his duck, the Liverpool boss will expect more goals.

"His shooting isn't bad," said Benitez. "He is accurate and when teams sit back at Anfield he has space to drive forward. It was tight at the end but we should have killed the game off before then."

Liverpool were playing their fifth game in 14 days and their defence looked jaded after five minutes when John Oster was allowed to roll a free-kick across the width of the pitch for £1.4m Czech international Marek Matejovsky to crack home from 25 yards.

With Torres and Gerrard unable to respond immediately, it was left to Mascherano to turn the tide after 19 minutes.

There seemed little danger when the little Argentine picked up the ball centrally 30 yards from goal. But instead of his normal trick, laying off the ball square to a team-mate with flair, he surged forward, showed quick feet to get round Stephen Hunt and then dipped his shoulder to leave James Harper for dead.

He then saved his best until last, firing a bullet, right-foot shot into Marcus Hahnemann's top corner.

Reading looked down but they certainly weren't out. Stephen Hunt was at his peskiest, giving Alvaro Arbeloa a sneaky push to try and get him over the advertising hoardings. Benitez was then incensed with someone, presumably Hunt, for catching the same player above the eye. Whatever the circumstances, Arbeloa needed treatment for the wound, which helped to ramp up the tension inside Anfield.

Reading were sunk by a Torres hat-trick in the Carling Cup earlier in the season and the way they marked him yesterday, it was clear they wanted to keep him quiet. But their approach backfired after Liam Rosenior fouled the Spaniard three minutes into the second half. Gerrard floated in a free-kick towards Torres and he headed home the winner.

Coppell bemoaned his side's temporary lack of discipline. "If you give Torres that space in the six-yard box, it's going to be a goal," he said.

A different type of discipline problem struck Reading on the hour mark when Shane Long's number came up to be replaced by Dave Kitson. Long took off his shirt and threw it towards Coppell in disgust as he came off. Once the 21-year-old took his seat behind Coppell, the manager turned round and gave him a telling-off.

Coppell blamed Long's frustration on the match officials, but pointedly said about the player's petulance: "I told him I never want to see that again. And it won't happen again."

LIVERPOOL (4-4-1-1): Reina; Arbeloa, Skrtel, Carragher, Aurelio; Kuyt (Benayoun 80min), Mascherano, Alonso, Babel (Riise 83); Gerrard (Hyypia 90); Torres. Subs (not used): Itandje, Crouch.

READING (4-4-2): Hahnemann; Rosenior, Bikey, Ingimarsson, Shorey; Oster (Kebe 72), Harper, Matejovsky (Cisse 74), Hunt; Doyle, Long (Kitson 63). Subs (not used): Federici, Sonko. Booked: Long, Ingimarsson, Matejovsky, Bikey, Cisse.

Referee: A Marriner (W Midlands).