Disputed penalty earns Reds a draw

09 November 2009 22:37
It is just one win now in nine matches for the Reds and they must be grateful for the two-week international break which will allow the dust to settle on their faltering season.[LNB]It had started so well for the hosts with youngster David Ngog firing them into an early lead.[LNB]But Ecuadorian Christian Benitez's nodded equaliser and Cameron Jerome's thunderous 35-yarder had Birmingham ahead at the break.[LNB]And only a hotly-contested spot-kick - which TV replays showed should not have been awarded as Lee Carsley made no contact with Ngog with his attempted tackle - gave Liverpool their lifeline, Gerrard sliding it home.[LNB]Fernando Torres did not even get a substitutes' role, the Spain striker now clearly being given a lengthy rest to recover from his groin problem.[LNB]Gerrard, with a similar if less severe injury, was named on the bench along with Alberto Aquilani.[LNB]Glen Johnson, Albert Riera and Martin Skrtel all returned from injury, with Jamie Carragher suspended.[LNB]Birmingham had Joe Hart back in goal while they were without Barry Ferguson, also suspended, so Teemu Tainio came into the side.[LNB]Liverpool went with the 20-year-old Ngog up front and Dirk Kuyt, captain for the night, in a central supporting role.[LNB]Of all Liverpool's young imports, Ngog has looked the most likely to make the breakthrough this season, and his balance and clever control were soon in evidence.[LNB]Hart saved one Ngog effort before the France Under-21 striker gave Liverpool a 13th-minute lead. Johnson surged down the right, cutting between two defenders before crossing for Ngog who saw his first effort blocked by Hart.[LNB]The ball flew to Kuyt only for Hart to again get his legs in the way, but when the rebound dropped for Ngog he made no mistake with a fierce a close-range volley into the roof of the net.[LNB]Tainio limped of two minutes later, former Everton midfielder Carsley coming on in his place.[LNB]Liverpool had been cruising up till now, but Birmingham struck back with an impressive set-piece, and once again Liverpool's susceptibility in the air was evident.[LNB]James McFadden fired a free-kick into the area and Roger Johnson headed back across goal where Scott Dann nodded on for Benitez to head past Jose Reina from close range.[LNB]Hart touched over a Javier Mascherano drive, and Daniel Agger saw a low shot following a corner kicked off the line by Carsley as Liverpool tried to hit back.[LNB]A minute from the break Riera, who had appeared to be on a solo bid to score from outside the box at almost every opportunity, suffered a recurrence of a hamstring injury, and Gerrard was brought into the fray as a substitute.[LNB]His arrival was met with huge cheers from the Kop, but the home crowd was silenced within seconds as Birmingham took the lead.[LNB]Jerome shook off the attentions of Mascherano to lash a swerving 35-yard effort into the roof of the net.[LNB]The confidence Liverpool had shown in the first half hour evaporated and, with the crowd's anxiety growing, errors in possession increased.[LNB]Gerrard saw a low header hit Hart's left-hand post from Johnson's cross from the right as Liverpool at last produced some sustained pressure.[LNB]McFadden was booked for a foul on Johnson, the Scot being substituted soon after to be replaced by former Red Gregory Vignal.[LNB]Liverpool were then awarded the highly-contentious 71st-minute penalty.[LNB]Ngog did well to get to the byline and went sprawling to the turf as Carsley came in with a sliding challenge, even though the Birmingham man's leg did not touch the Liverpool youngster.[LNB]Carsley and Ngog exchanged views and pushes, and referee Peter Walton booked both before Gerrard stepped up to drill home the spot kick.[LNB]Liverpool then lost Benayoun with a hamstring complaint, Ryan Babel coming on.[LNB]Gerrard fired over a cross for Ngog to hit wide at the near post before sending an 18-yarder just wide.[LNB]With nine minutes left Aquilani finally made his Anfield debut as a substitute for Lucas.[LNB]The visitors were forced to defend desperately in the final minutes and hung on valiantly for a point.[LNB][LNB]

Source: Team_Talk