Birmingham 2-2 Liverpool

Well it was another draw for Liverpool this weekend, though with goals this time: 2-2. A frustrating one, because we controlled most of the match, particularly the first half though Steven Gerrard hitting the post was the only notable effort.

In the second half, it was Garcia who came off the bench and provided the necessary spark – as I’ve often suggested – and opened the scoring, proving he doesn’t just do it in the Champions League.

An unfortunate own goal from Warnock followed two minutes later by a Reina fumble gifted Birmingham an undeserved 2-1 lead. Sure they’d played better second half, but for us not to take anything from the game would’ve been criminal with Clapham twice clearing off the line, from Crouch and Garcia I think it was.

Thankfully debutant Kilkenny cleared another shot with his arm, and was promptly shown the red card – with substitute Cisse converting from the spot. Although he missed a good chance him, Cisse certainly gave us another attacking dimension when he came on – also laying on a good opportunity for Crouch to head wide. I’d have brought him on at half-time, because we were dominating midfield but not scoring, which has been our persistent problem this season.

Still, while it’s two points dropped, at the risk of sounding like a stuck record it’s another gained over last year – where Birmingham in fact did the double over us, winning at Anfield and St. Andrews – and in the contexts of the day’s other results (Man Utd losing to Blackburn, Arsenal being held by West Ham and Everton losing to Wigan) it’s not such a bad result. At least we showed some spirit to come back from 2-1 down, and could’ve gone on to win from there.

We’ll have to raise our game if we’re to get anything from Chelsea over the next two matches, but as ever I expect Rafa to ring some changes – probably bringing in Traore and Garcia…

YNWA