Fernando Torres played the final 30 minutes of Liverpool’s nil-nil stalemate at Anfield. The Spanish international came on in the second half and almost gave the Reds all three points with an acrobatic overhead kick. A clever flick from the striker also put Crouch through on goal, but the forward failed to finish as the Merseysider’s had to settle for a draw.

Liverpool remain unbeaten this season in the Premier League after drawing with Birmingham City at home. The Reds dominated from start to finish, but Rafa Benitez’s side could not find a way past the Blues defence which stood firm in the face of constant pressure.

Both teams started slowly and in the 12th minute, Fernando Torres’ Spanish international team-mate, Borja Oubina, was stretchered off following a challenge tackle with Dirk Kuyt.

In a luck-lustre opening 45 minutes, Jermaine Pennant almost gave Liverpool the lead before half-time. The winger cut inside before unleashing a right-footed drive, but Maik Taylor in the Birmingham goal was equal to the shot and tipped the effort over the bar.

Liverpool came to life in the second half and Andriy Voronin almost put Liverpool ahead with a strike from outside the box, but the Birmingham keeper got down well to make a good save.

Red captain Steve Gerrard had a shot blocked off the line by Mehdi Nafti following Pennant's corner as Liverpool went up a gear.

In the 60th minute, Fernando Torres came on in place of Ryan Babel, and the Spaniard was particularly lively operating along the front line as the Reds tried to find a way past Maik Taylor.

Following a right-wing corner, Crouch found himself on the edge of the six yard box with a free header. The tall forward got too much under the ball and watched as it looped over the bar.

Fernando Torres almost broke the deadlock with an acrobatic over-head kick in the 76th minute. The striker met Pennant’s cross with a perfectly executed bicycle kick, but the ball was inches over.

In the final stages a clever back-heel from Fernando Torres put Peter Crouch through on goal, but Stephen Kelly cut across to make an excellent sliding tackle.

The Reds continued to push forward but it was to be a frustrating afternoon for Rafa Benitez’s side who could not find a breakthrough. Final score at Anfield, Liverpool 0-0 Birmingham City.


Match Stats:

Liverpool 0 –0 Birmingham City

- Liverpool:

Reina, Riise, Hyypia, Carragher, Arbeloa, Babel (Torres 60), Gerrard, Mascherano, Pennant, (Finnan 86), Voronin (Crouch 73), Kuyt.

- Birmingham City:

Taylor, Queudrue, Ridgewell, Djourou, Kelly, Kapo, Nafti, Oubina (McSheffrey 12), Larsson, Jerome, Palacios (O'Connor 68).

Booked: Ridgewell, McSheffrey