Follow every kick as Birmingham City take on Liverpool at St Andrews Stadium in the Premier League
on 04-Apr-2010, kick off time 15:00
Birmingham City v Liverpool Live
Alex McLeish's in-form Birmingham side welcome Liverpool to St. Andrew's this weekend, with the visitors eager to keep the pressure on Tottenham in the race for that all important Champions League berth. However, the Blues have proved incredibly hard to beat at home and are now undefeated in their last 12 games at home. Conversely, the Reds have scored just one goal in their last five away matches and have not won in six on the road in the league. However, Liverpool remain hopeful of Champions League qualification, despite season-long inconsistency. Central to their hopes of going one better than Arsenal (1-1) last weekend and securing all three points will be Spanish superstar Fernando Torres. However, Liverpool's top scorer will have to improve his record on the road, with just 16 of his 56 Premier League goals coming away from Anfield so far. Another player hoping to improve on his goal tally is captain Steven Gerrard, who has bagged a somewhat disappointing six league goals so far this season. However, the England man has scored five goals in eight Premier League games against Birmingham. While a Champions League spot is well out of reach for Birmingham, they have enjoyed a solid season and sit ninth, just four points below Europa League hopefuls Everton. The Blues have a good record against Liverpool and are unbeaten in their last seven top-flight meetings with the Merseysiders. However, the last five meetings have ended in draws. For this vital clash, Liverpool will be without defender Martin Skrtel, whilst Fabio Aurelio is only an outside bet to be fit in time. McLeish will be without striker Gary O'Connor, who hasn't played a game in 2010, and midfielder Lee Carsley. Dirk Kuyt, Liverpool's hard-working attacker, is confident his side can build on their win against Sunderland at the weekend. "With Fernando in this form, and also with the team playing a lot better, hopefully we have a chance," said the Dutchman.
Source: DSG
