McDermott eyes Reds scalp

McDermott: Job prospects

Reading caretaker manager Brian McDermott hopes an FA Cup replay win at Liverpool on Wednesday would aid his chances of becoming permanent boss.

McDermott has made no secret of his desire to take over the reins permanently after the Royals sacked Brendan Rodgers last month, with the Royals flirting with relegation from the Championship.

Despite a creditable draw with Liverpool at the Madejski Stadium earlier this month, McDermott has yet to win in his four games in charge, prompting fans to call for the return of former boss Steve Coppell.

Coppell has since denied any link with a return to the club, while McDermott feels he is fit for the task of rescuing their season, starting with an upset over the Reds.

"Will winning at Anfield help me get the job? It will certainly help," McDermott said.

"It has been well documented that I want the job and I think I should get it. All I can do is try to win the next game and that's all I will try to do.

"The fans called for Steve back and I can understand that," he added.

"He was a fantastic manager, and from a personal point of view he's a friend of mine, but that doesn't really enter my mind, my position is my position."

Highlight

The 1-1 draw with Rafael Benitez's side has been the highlight of a wretched season for the Royals, who currently hover just two points above the relegation zone.

However, the side performed well against their Premier League opponents in the FA Cup third-round draw, and McDermott insists the pressure is off once more as they bid to go one better in the replay by dumping Liverpool out of the cup.

"If we produce what we are capable of then we have a good chance of winning," he said.

"We are going to play at Anfield and who goes there to win? Not many teams, but we have to be realistic.

"But having said that, the key for me is that we turn up and play and do all the stuff we have to do, and when you do that you never know what can happen.

Royals striker Simon Church, who scored the opener in the first meeting before Steven Gerrard levelled, insists the players are heading into the game with belief in themselves.

"You always want to play in the big stadiums and against the big players and it will be great to score at Anfield," the 21-year-old said.

"I've played there in the Youth Cup a few years ago and lost 1-0, so it will be good to go there again.

"People think it will be a walkover for Liverpool but we have to have the belief that we can go there and give them a game."