Sterling effort sinks Royals

Raheem Sterling scored his first Liverpool goal to give manager Brendan Rodgers his maiden home league win with a 1-0 success against former club Reading.

Sterling found himself in the best attacking positions on several occasions in the first half but managed to get a shot on target just once and Reading goalkeeper Alex McCarthy easily held.

During an injury break for Jem Karacan, who was eventually forced off by the effect of Steven Gerrard's block tackle, Rodgers took the opportunity to pass on some advice to Sterling.

Whatever he said appeared to have the desired effect as in the 29th minute the England Under-21 international finally made the breakthrough.

Luis Suarez's delicate flick-on was seized by the teenager who raced through the inside-right channel and fired a shot across McCarthy and into the far corner of the net.

Just before half-time, Suarez went to ground under a challenge from Kaspars Gorkss close to the byline. Referee Roger East waved play on and then was soon waving away protests from a cluster of Liverpool players as he whistled for the interval.

Sterling should have made it 2-0 early in the second half having turned smartly in the penalty area but fired straight at the goalkeeper.

Reading substitute Garath McCleary forced an immediate save from Reds goalkeeper Brad Jones, on his first league start for the club in the absence of the injured Jose Reina.

Jones punched away a Jobi McAnuff shot before Martin Skrtel, substitute Jonjo Shelvey and Gerrard threatened at the other end.

Further chances fell to Glen Johnson, Suarez, who missed the target from 10 yards, and Gerrard - but none were converted and the Anfield faithful had to settle for a one-goal winning margin when East blew the final whistle.