Blues hold Reds at Anfield

Jerome: Stunning strike

Man of the Match: Plenty of eye-catching performances on both sides, but Roger Johnson's imperious, lion-hearted display at the heart of a tireless Birmingham rearguard gets the nod ahead of his namesake in red.

Goal of the Match: An easier decision thanks to one of the goals of the season from Cameron Jerome. With time ticking away at the end of the first half he brought the ball down beautifully before shrugging off the attentions of Javier Mascherano and firing a fizzing, dipping 35-yard effort over Pepe Reina's despairing hand and into the back of the net.

Save of the Match: Joe Hart's double save, first denying David Ngog with lightning-fast reactions before getting back to his feet to block Dirk Kuyt's follow-up. It came to nothing, though, as the ball was helped back to Ngog to volley Liverpool ahead.

Attempt of the Match: Mascherano tested Birmingham with a couple of rasping drives from distance. In the first half he was denied by a fine fingertip save by Hart; in the second by a heroic block from Lee Bowyer.

Talking point: It can only be Liverpool's equaliser. An outrageous dive from Ngog to win his side a penalty will dominate post-match discussion and analysis despite his own and Jerome's stunning goals and another poor result for the Anfield club.

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Liverpool dropped yet more Premier League points as they were held to a 2-2 draw by Birmingham City at Anfield.

And it could have been so much worse for Rafa Benitez, whose side trailed 2-1 before captain Steven Gerrard - who started the match on the substitutes' bench - slotted home a penalty which was highly controversial.

David Ngog, who had given Liverpool an early lead, looked to have dived with Lee Carsley sliding in and making no contact - but referee Peter Walton awarded the spot-kick which allowed Gerrard to slot home.

Earlier Christian Benitez had headed The Blues level, before Cameron Jerome's stunning strike just before half-time gave Alex McLeish's side the lead.

Gerrard, though, stepped up to slot home - but a draw will still be of huge frustration to Benitez - who is still yet to beat Birmingham in the Premier League.

The point means Liverpool remain in seventh, but some 11 points adrift of leaders Chelsea.

No Torres

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.

Gerrard, with a similar if less severe injury, was named on the bench along with Alberto Aquilani.

Glen Johnson, Albert Riera and Martin Skrtel all returned from injury, with Jamie Carragher suspended.

Birmingham had Joe Hart back in goal while they were without Barry Ferguson, also suspended, so Teemu Tainio came into the side.

Liverpool went with the 20-year-old Ngog up front and Dirk Kuyt, captain for the night, in a central supporting role.

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.

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.

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.

Tainio limped off two minutes later, former Everton midfielder Carsley coming on in his place.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Shock lead

His arrival was met with huge cheers from the Kop, but the home crowd was silenced within seconds as Birmingham took the lead.

Jerome shook off the attentions of Mascherano to lash a swerving 30-yard effort into the top corner.

The confidence Liverpool had shown in the first half hour evaporated and, with the crowd's anxiety growing, errors in possession increased.

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.

McFadden was booked for a foul on Johnson, the Scot being substituted soon after to be replaced by former Red Gregory Vignal.

Liverpool were then awarded the highly-contentious 71st-minute penalty. 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.

Carsley and Ngog exchanged views and pushes, and referee Peter Walton booked both before Gerrard stepped up to drill home the spot kick.

Liverpool then lost Benayoun with a hamstring complaint, Ryan Babel coming on.

Gerrard fired over a cross for Ngog to hit wide at the near post before sending an 18-yarder just wide.

With nine minutes left Aquilani finally made his Anfield debut as a substitute for Lucas.

The visitors were forced to defend desperately in the final minutes and hung on valiantly for a point.