Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez admitted relief after their 1-1 draw with Reading in their FA Cup clash.

Steven Gerrard cancelled out Simon Church's opener, which was bundled in after Ryan Bertrand's free-kick tested Liverpool's zonal marking system, and the game ended 1-1.

Even after Gerrard levelled, with a cross that Dirk Kuyt dummied to fool Reading goalkeeper Adam Federici, Reading threatened to book their place in the fourth round.

"I'm relieved," admitted Benitez.

"To play in front of the TV and against Liverpool I think was a massive boost for them and you could see they played really well.

"They were pushing and working very hard from the beginning until the end so we had to do our job. It was a difficult game and the most positive thing is that we will play another game at Anfield."

Benitez picked a strong team, with Fernando Torres and Gerrard included, signalling his intentions.

"We know that we have two clear chances to win trophies - the Europa League and the FA Cup - so we will try our best in both and keep improving in the league," he said.

"This is the way now so we try to win.

"Our aim is to win trophies so we have to start winning these games."