Gerrard (pen) 71   Jerome 45 + 3 

A fortunate penalty award saved Liverpool from yet another Premier League defeat, at home to lowly Birmingham City. Steven Gerrard’s 71^st minute penalty prevented ‘humiliation,’ according to pundits. But this verdict was unfair on a capable, committed and well-organised Birmingham side.

French striker David Ngog, who had earlier given Liverpool the lead, appeared to hurdle Blues midfielder Lee Carsley’s challenge before falling over in the box. Referee Phillip Walton thought otherwise, and Gerrard, introduced as a late first-half substitute for the injured Albert Reina, saved the day again for Liverpool, by converting the penalty.

A relatively low-key Anfield crowd were stunned into silence by Birmingham goals from Christian Benitez (of all names) and Cameron Jerome, neither of whom had previously scored this season, after Ngog had given the Reds a 13^th minute lead. But despite dominating possession, especially after half-time, Liverpool were again way below their best, and were lucky to avoid a sixth EPL defeat this season.

Ngog’s left-foot volley put Liverpool in front. Blues keeper Joe Hart had made a fine double save to deny Ngog and Dirk Kuyt before the young replacement for the injured Fernando Torres finally found the net. But thirteen minutes after falling behind, Birmingham were level through Benitez’s close-range header from a well-worked setpiece. Worse followed as Albert Reira was forced off injured, to be replaced by a clearly unfit Steven Gerrard.

And during the stoppage time allowed for that change Jerome hit one of the goals of the season to date, beating Liverpool keeper Pepe Reina all ends up with a looping 35-yard shot. Liverpool almost inevitably dominated after the interval. Yet they created few clear cut chances. And a Gerrard header against the foot of the post the closest they came until the lucky penalty. Ngog was narrowly wide with Liverpool’s clearest chance of a winner. But City deservedly held on.