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By Mike Collett
LONDON, Dec 8 (Reuters) - Reading ended Liverpool's unbeaten start to the Premier League season with a shock 3-1 win over Rafa Benitez's team at the Madejski Stadium on Saturday.
The result left fourth-placed Liverpool seven points behind leaders Arsenal while Manchester United and Chelsea maintained their title challenges with home wins over Derby County and Sunderland respectively.
Arsenal, who visit Middlesbrough on Sunday, have 37 points from 15 matches. United have 36 from 16, Chelsea 34 from 16 and Liverpool 30 from 15.
Mid-table Reading's victory was their first against one of the so-called 'Big Four' clubs since gaining promotion in 2005-06.
They took the lead with a controversial 17th-minute penalty from Stephen Hunt after Jamie Carragher clearly fouled Ivar Ingimarsson outside the box.
Stephen Gerrard equalised for Liverpool in the 28th but a goal from Kevin Doyle and a fine individual effort by James Harper in the 67th gave Reading the points.
Liverpool manager Benitez complained that Reading should not have been awarded their penalty.
"I think it was outside the area. Why was it not a yellow card? If it was a penalty, it should have been a yellow card," he told Setanta television.
"It was a strange game. We have to think about the positives -- no injuries."
