Liverpool midfielder Joe Allen has admitted that he still has “a lot of work to do”, in order to be mentioned in the same breath as the likes of Luka Modric.

The 22-year-old came up against Modric as Wales were defeated 2-0 by Croatia on Tuesday night, and has faced the burden of expectation since his summer move from Swansea.

Allen has conceded that the former Tottenham man is currently a cut above the rest, but believes he can offer plenty more for club and country.

“Modric is some player,” he told The Sun.

“I think he showed me that I have still probably got quite a lot of work to do in order to get anywhere near his level.

“He’s a top player, but for me personally it was disappointing because he controlled the game and was comfortable throughout.”

And Allen says he is still getting used to playing at Anfield, where goals have proved hard to come by so far this season, but believes that high expectations can be expected.

“It’s all very new to me. The price tag is going to add pressure, that is something you come to expect as a footballer,” he added.

Liverpool are struggling with injuries after the international break, with Fabio Borini ruled out for three months and Andre Wisdom also ruled out with a shoulder problem.

Pepe Reina sustained an injury while warming up for Spain during their game against France, but should be fit to face the Royals while Jonjo Shelvey returns from suspension.

Lucas remains on the long-term injury list, but John Flanagan could be available soon as he recovers from an ankle problem.

Reading goalkeeper Adam Federici remains an injury doubt, with Alex McCarthy likely to continue to deputise.

However, Mikele Leigertwood should be fully recovered from the leg injury that kept him out of the game with Swansea.

Apart from that, the Royals have no new injury or suspension concerns as they search for a first Premier League victory this season.

• The Reds have won just two of their 13 Premier League home games in 2012, drawing five and losing six.

• Defender Daniel Agger is a qualified tattoo artist, and has offered to make a commemorative design for the entire squad if they win the Premier League.

• Reading have won just two of their last 23 away games in the Premier League, losing 15 and drawing six.

• Five players survive from when the Royals were last in the Premier League during the 2007-08 season, including Nicky Shorey (pictured right), who has returned to the club after spells at Aston Villa and West Bromwich Albion.

• Striker Pavel Pogrebnyak has scored eight goals from just 11 shots on target during his time in the Premier League with Fulham and the Royals.

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers claims that he has not considered recalling Andy Carroll from his loan spell with West Ham to alleviate the club’s striking crisis.

Fabio Borini is set to be out for around three months following an operation on a fractured bone in his foot, meaning that Luis Suarez is the only senior frontman on the Reds’ books.

But the Northern Irishman insists that he has not given thought to bringing Carroll back, despite Hammers co-owner David Gold admitting on Thursday that the 23-year-old could be recalled in January.

“It isn’t something I have considered, to be honest,” Rodgers told reporters.

“Andy has obviously gone out to get games. We have people watching when he plays and they report back on how he is doing. But with Fabio’s injury just coming up we will assess it from there.”

The Reds boss went on to underline the importance of keeping Suarez fresh, despite the Uruguayan forward’s desire to play every game.

He explained: “I’ve rested him a couple of times knowing the squad we have and the games we have, looking to prioritise, but, like most footballers, he wants to play every minute of every game.

“It is something I need to assess. The most important thing is winning games – that is what we need to do and in order to do that as often as we can I need the best players on the field.

“Luis will absolutely love playing three times a week but I need to try to nurture him because there are still many games to play between now and January.

“And even in January if we bring someone in it may not be January 1, so that is something which, over time, I need to assess and we’ll look to manage the squad.”

The former Swansea City boss also refused to criticise his superiors over the failure to land striker Clint Dempsey in the summer transfer window, before expressing excitement over the young attacking options at his disposal.

“Luis will love playing three times a week but I need to nurture him because there are many games to play between now and January” – Brendan Rodgers on Luis Suarez

“The reality is it has happened so we have to deal with it. I’m not going to cry over it,” Rodgers continued. “It leaves us a bit short, there’s no getting away from that, but it’s what we’ve got so we’ll just crack on.

“If anything else happens it will provide an opportunity for another player. We have other players that we may be able to have some flexibility within the team,” he said.

“It is great for me to see the young players: Adam Morgan scored a couple of excellent goals for the reserves and Samed Yesil is a goalscorer. It is just a case of weighing up whether they come in or not.

“Not every young player can play: this is an unforgiving league and my job is to nurture the talent and not destroy it.”