Fernando Torres watched on from the sidelines as Liverpool drew 2-2 at home to Birmingham. Ngog opened the scoring, but strikes from Blues’ players Benitez and Jerome put the visitors ahead at the break. Gerrard converted a second-half penalty as Liverpool drew their first league game of the season.

Prior to the match, coach Rafa Benitez had commented that he would wait until Monday before making a decision as to whether or not the striker would feature in the Premier League meeting at Anfield. Before kick-off the Spaniard decided to leave his compatriot in the stands for the visit of Birmingham.

Liverpool took the lead on 13 minutes. Joe Hart had saved brilliantly from David Ngog and Dirk Kuyt, but Albert Riera’s cross back across goal was met by Ngog whose volley flew into the roof of the net.

The Reds looked to double their lead and Mascherano came close when his shot from outside the box was magnificently tipped over the bar by the Birmingham keeper.

Alex McLeish’s side had created very little in attack, but the visitor’s were to score two goals before the break. Birmingham surprised the home side with an equaliser on 26 minutes. Cristian Benitez headed past Reina. The striker’s header was the visitor’s first effort on target.

The Blues moved in front in first-half stoppage-time. Cameron Jerome controlled the ball 30 yards out before unleashing a dipping shot over Pepe Reina and into the back of the net.

Rafa Benitez brought on Gerrard after the half-time interval and the captain almost had an immediate impact. The midfielder headed a Glen Johnson against the foot of the post after some good work from the full-back.

It was all Liverpool, and the home side deservedly scored a second. Ngog went down in the box following a late tackle from the side from Carsley. Gerrard made no mistake from the spot, sending Hart the wrong way.

Gerrard shot narrowly over as the Merseysiders pushed everyone forward in search of a winner, but the Midlanders held on for a point.


- Match Stats: Liverpool 2-2 Birmingham City

Liverpool: Reina, Johnson, Skrtel, Agger, Insua, Mascherano, Lucas Leiva (Aquilani, 82), Kuyt, Benayoun (Babel, 76), Riera, Ngog

Booked: Ngog

Goals: Ngog 13, Gerrard 71 pen

Birmingham: Hart, Carr, Roger Johnson, Dann, Ridgewell, Larsson, Bowyer, Tainio (Carsley, 15), McFadden (Vignal, 77), Benitez (McSheffrey, 86), Jerome

Booked: McFadden, Carsley

Goals: Benitez 26, Jerome 45+3