Liverpool held to a fighting draw by Birmingham
18-time league champions, Liverpool were on the receiving end of some serious attacks from Birmingham on Sunday, and had to thank their Spanish goalkeeper Pepe Reina for getting a point away from home.
Reina was on his game for the Reds, as he showed some quick reflexes to punch away close range shots from Cameron Jerome and Craig Gardner.
Despite being pegged back to their half for most of the match, Liverpool would look back on 3 clear cut chances that they did not make use of.
Judging on the performance of Liverpool, new boss Roy Hodgson really has his work cut out for him if he really intends to make Liverpool a force to be reckoned with in the English Premier League.
Birmingham at home looked an altogether different side, and were oozing with confidence. Barry Ferguson and Gardner were most impressive in the midfield. The duo dictated terms from middle of the park and the attacking pairing of James McFadden and Cameron Jerome complimented the service from midfield well.
As always it was the Liverpool skipper, Steven Gerrard who tried his best to spark some life into the team from midfield. Stevie-G kept making his typical darting runs from the centre of midfield and did feed Torres in couple of times, the Spaniard though looked off colour, while Scott Dallan did not make things any easier for the Spaniard.
It was Torres, who got the first good chance of the match just 12 minutes into the game. The former Portsmouth right back Glen Johnson made an excellent run down the right side and finished it off with a threatening ball in the centre. Torres although got to the ball well but slashed his shot well wide of the posts.
On the other end Reina was doing his best to keep the scores level, Jerome was in the box and with the goal at his mercy after connecting well on Lee Bowyer’s cross. Reina acted quick and jumped to his right to punch the ball away.
Gardner from Birmingham was the first man to be booked in the match. He was shown a yellow card in the 28th minute, following a rash challenge on Lucas.
The home side though, were still the more dominant side and continued to press on. Sebastian Larsson set up Gardner well but his chipped effort went slightly over the cross bar.
Reina, who had seen that shot go over his head was called into action again soon after, it was once again Larsson, who sent in the cross and Gardner got his head on it. Reina this time sprung to his left to make the save.
Fernando Torres had the odd opportunity once again for the reds. He got the ball in the 6-yard area. But Roger Johnson stuck to his task and did not let the Spaniard turn and take the shot. However, replays suggested that Torres may have had a claim for a penalty.
Birmingham on the break put together yet another slick move, this time it was Roger Jonson, who after doing his defensive duties was in attack. He was on the end of a cross from Barry Ferguson but headed it slightly over the goal.
The former Manchester United goalkeeper, Ben Foster was forced into his first real save, when in the 2nd half Gerrard sent in a thumping drive but Foster had little trouble gathering that.
Liam Ridgewell was the next blues player to have a shot at goal. Once again it was a delivery from Larsson following a set piece. Ridgewell, however, could not put enough force in his header and Reina caught it easily.
The frustrating day ended for Liverpool with a point, but looking at the big picture the Reds may believe that it was a point earned rather than two points lost.
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