Liverpool were handed an away tie in the draw for the third round proper of the FA Cup. The Merseysiders were drawn against Championship side Reading as the Premier League clubs enter the knock-out competition. The match away to the Berkshire club will no doubt bring back fond memories for Fernando Torres. The striker grabbed his first ever hattrick as a Liverpool player against Reading at the Madejski Stadium with three goals all scored in the second half of the third round Carling Cup tie (September 26, 2007). The Spaniard’s treble sealed a 4-2 win for the visitors and helped book a place in the fourth round draw.

Liverpool have won four of their five meetings with Reading, however the Red’s last visit to the Madejski Stadium back in December 2007 ended in defeat for the Anfield club. The Royals beat Liverpool 3-1 thanks to goals from Stephen Hunt, Kevin Doyle and James Harper. Liverpool captain Steve Gerrard grabbed the visitor's only goal of the game.

Reading are currently struggling in the Championship, just one place above relegation. The Royals, who have won just four times in the league so far this season, have collect ed 17 points from 18 matches played.

The tie will take place on January 2 or 3, 2010.


- Full FA Cup third round draw

Reading v Liverpool
Spurs v Peterborough
Brentford v Doncaster
Middlesbrough v Manchester City
Stoke v York
Notts County v Forest Green
Huddersfield Town v West Brom
Sheff Utd v QPR
MK Dons v Burnley
Chelsea v Watford
Notts Forest v Birmingham
Preston v Colchester
West Ham v Arsenal
Aston Villa v Blackburn
Portsmouth v Coventry
Sunderland v Oxford United / Barrow
Wigan v Hull
Everton v Carlisle
Sheff Wednesday v Crystal Palace
Tranmere / Aldershot v Wolves
Blackpool v Ipswich
Fulham v Swindon
Stockport / Torquay v Brighton
Scunthorpe v Barnsley
Southampton v Rotherham / Luton
Bristol City v Cardiff
Staines / Millwall v Derby
Plymouth v Newcastle
Leicester v Swansea
Bolton v Lincoln
Accrington / Barnet v Gillingham
Man Utd v Kettering / Leeds