It was a match Liverpool couldn't afford to lose after recent defeats to Chelsea, Sunderland and Fulham has seen them virtually fall out the title race. They started brightly and grabbed the early goal they craved came in the 12th minute when David Ngog, in for the crocked Fernando Torres, volleyed an unstoppable effort past Joe Hart who had twice denied Liverpool with a fabulous double save in the build up to the goal.
Birmingham might have drawn level when Cristian Benitez had a clear sight of goal, but the Ecuadorian was incorrectly flagged for offside. The 24-year-old did get his name on the score sheet after 26 minutes however when Liverpool's defensive frailties were again exposed. A free-kick was floated to the back post and the away side won three headers, the final one from Benitez who nodded home his first goal in English football from three yards.
The moment of the match came in stoppage time at the end of the first half when Cameron Jerome picked the ball up midway into the Liverpool half and fired an incredible effort over Pepe Reina to send the Blues in two goals to the good.
The second half was predictably dominated by the home side and they were almost level on 63 minutes. Glen Johnson, who troubled the Birmingham defenders down the right hand side all night, again found space and when his centre found Steven Gerrard in the penalty area it look for all the world that the captain would score, but his header struck the side of the upright.
Moments later tempers were frayed. David Ngog's brilliant burst into the box and when the young French striker went down under the challenge of Lee Carsley, referee Peter Walton pointed to the spot. The Birmingham defenders were incensed and rightly so - the video replay clearly showed there was no contact between the two players and Liverpool had been gifted a chance to equalise. Gerrard stepped up and duly obliged.
Having already lost Albert Riera at the end of the first half, more injury concerns were to follow for Rafa Benitez. Yossi Benayoun pulled up after 77 minutes with what looked like a hamstring injury and was replaced by Ryan Babel. The home side continued to turn the screw with both Ngog and Gerrard going close, but nobody in a red shirt could find the touch to snatch a victory.
It was the same old story for Liverpool. They dominated possession without creating enough goal scoring opportunities and were punished for sloppy defending. Alex McLeish will feel his team have been denied three points and a momentous victory at Anfield.
Teams
Liverpool: Jose Reina, Glen Johnson, Daniel Agger, Martin Skertl, Emiliano Insua, Javier Mascherano, Lucas Leiva (Alberto Aquilani, Dirk Kuyt, Yossi Benayoun (Ryan Babel 77), Albert Riera (Steven Gerrard 45), David Ngog
Subs:Diego Cavalieri, Sotorios Kyrgiakos, Steven Gerrard, Alberto Aquilani, Jay Spearing, Stephen Darby, Ryan Babel
Birmingham:Joe Hart, Stephen Carr, Liam Ridgewell, Roger Johnson, Scott Dann, Lee Bowyer, Sebastian Larsson, Teemo Tainio Lee Carsley 15), Cameron Jerome, Cristian Benitez (Gary McSheffrey 86), James McFadden (Gregory Vignal 68)
Subs:Maik Taylor, Giovanny Espinoza, Franck Quedrue, Gregory Vignal, Gary McSheffrey, Lee Carsley, Kevin Phillips
Goals: Ngog 12, Benitez 26, Jerome 45+3, Gerrard 71 (pen)
Yellow Cards: James McFadden (64), Lee Carsely (70). David Ngog (70)
Referee: Peter Walton
Attendance: 42, 560
