Reading have cancelled Christmas as they aim to kick-start their season by shocking Liverpool at the Madejski Stadium on Saturday.

The pressure is mounting on Steve Coppell's side after their failure to beat Middlesbrough at home left them just three points above the Premier League relegation zone.

Staff held their Christmas parties last weekend when the players flew to Dublin for one final knees-up before the hard work now begins with a sell-out clash against the unbeaten Reds.

Royals coach Kevin Dillon told the Reading Chronicle: "The players went to Dublin for their Christmas party last weekend which they really deserved. But it's gone now. That's Christmas finished for us as far as I'm concerned."