Kuyt strengthens Reds hold on third

With Arsenal losing at home to West Ham, victory moved Liverpool five points clear of the Gunners into third place in the Premiership.

The Dutchman headed home Jermaine Pennant's cross just when it appeared Reading had done enough for a draw. Brynjar Gunnarsson's drive just after the restart had drawn Reading level after Alvaro Arbeloa had given Liverpool the lead.

Arbeloa was one of five changes made by manager Rafael Benitez and his strike came against the run of play.

Ivar Ingimarsson rose above Jamie Carragher to meet John Oster's near-post corner but powered his header over. Oster then whipped in a cross from the right which had Reina in trouble - but Reading were stung on the break.

Nicky Shorey's free-kick rebounded off the Liverpool wall and Arbeloa ran it clear down the left. The Spaniard exchanged passed with Peter Crouch before curling a right-footed finish past Marcus Hahnemann and inside the far post.

The first half ended as a damp squib - but the game restarted with a bang. It took Reading just 80 seconds to find the killer ball.

Stephen Hunt curled a ball to the right edge of the box and Gunnarsson stole around Steve Finnan to lash the ball in off the post.

Craig Bellamy went down under a challenge from Ingimarsson and was furious when no penalty was given. Kuyt came on for Bellamy and drew Hahnemann, but his pass was too far ahead for Steven Gerrard to slot home.

But there was nothing Reading could do when Pennant, on as a substitute, chipped a cross to the far post for Kuyt to head home.