EPL: Liverpool 0-0 Birmingham - TalkSoccer

**Mighty T.A.L.** · 21-09-2007, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has made no less than 38 changes to his side already this season, and the Spaniard could be set for further tinkering ahead of their clash against Birmingham City.

The Reds manager is averaging five changes in his starting line-up for each game, and with injury blows to key personnel, he will be forced into rotation.

Benitez is without metatarsal victims Daniel Agger and Xabi Alonso who are sidelined for six weeks.

Impressive

In defence The Reds boast an impressive record, and are yet to concede a league goal from open play so far this campaign.

Sami Hyypia should partner Jamie Carragher in the heart of the back-line, while full-backs Fabio Aurelio, John Arne Riise and Alvaro Arbeloa are all available.

Mohamed Sissoko and Javier Mascherano will be vying for starting spots in the centre of midfield.

Jermaine Pennant should start against his former club, while 20-year-old Brazilian midfielder Lucas Leiva could be handed a place on the bench.

Powerful

Newly-promoted Birmingham are looking for a third victory in four Premier League outings, and Steve Bruce has only one injury doubt ahead of the trip to Anfield.

Damien Johnson is unlikely to be fit as he is still recovering from a hamstring injury.

Liverpool will have to be wary of the in-form Olivier Kapo, while powerful forward Cameron Jerome could cause problems.

Meanwhile goalkeeper Maik Taylor will be hoping to shed memories of his involvement in the 7-0 drubbing at the hands of Liverpool in the FA Cup in March 2006.

Skysports

**Mighty T.A.L.** · 22-09-2007, 08:44 AM

Hopefully Liverpool won't concede a penalty today...

NJ10 · 22-09-2007, 10:28 AM

We havent beaten Birmingham in the league under Rafa, but i think that will change today.

Agger & Alonso will be missed but i dont think Birmingham will trouble us too much.

I predict 2-0- Torres & Pennant against his old club

**Mighty T.A.L.** · 22-09-2007, 01:50 PM

Liverpool Team:
Jose Reina, Alvaro Arbeloa, Sami Hyypia, Jamie Carragher, John Arne Riise, Jermaine Pennant, Steven Gerrard, Javier Mascherano, Ryan Babel, Dirk Kuyt, Andriy Voronin.

Birmingham Team:
Maik Taylor, Stephen Kelly, Johan Djorou, Liam Ridgewell, Franck Queudrue, Sebastian Larsson, Wilson Palacios, Mehdi Nafti, Borja Oubina Melendez, Olivier Kapo, Cameron Jerome.

Podolski · 22-09-2007, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mighty T.A.L.

Liverpool Team:
Jose Reina, Alvaro Arbeloa, Sami Hyypia, Jamie Carragher, John Arne Riise, Jermaine Pennant, Steven Gerrard, Javier Mascherano, Ryan Babel, Dirk Kuyt, Andriy Voronin.

No Torres? :s

**Mighty T.A.L.** · 22-09-2007, 04:04 PM

0-0 Full Time.

We never lose!

**kennethlindheim** · 22-09-2007, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mighty T.A.L.

0-0 Full Time.

We never lose!

So you're pleased with the result?

**Mighty T.A.L.** · 22-09-2007, 04:35 PM

No fucking way. Once again Rafa did it again. Benched Torres. Liverpool still haven't beat Birmingham at home in Premier League. A Birmingham syndrom it seems. No one particular played well for Liverpool today and that's why we did only capture one point and in a game we should win. All credit to Birmingham who defend themselves excellent. Ridgewell and Djorou was outstanding. This was one of this day all went Birmingham's way. Sadly it was against us.

**Mighty T.A.L.** · 22-09-2007, 05:15 PM

Lacklustre Reds held by Blues

Quote:

Birmingham produced a battling performance to frustrate a below-par Liverpool and earn a deserved goalless draw at Anfield. The Premier League new boys defended superbly in a performance which Blues boss Steve Bruce would have been proud of in his hey-day.

Liverpool struggled to create any clear goalscoring chances as they put in another disappointing display following their 1-1 draw with Porto in midweek.

The draw was Liverpool's third successive draw and sees them drop further behind early leaders Arsenal in the table.

The Midlanders were clearly not going to be letting themselves suffer a six-goal thrashing like Derby did recently, and set out to suffocate the life from Liverpool's game.

Steve Bruce's side more than achieved their aim - and fully deserved the point. Liam Ridgewell and Johan Djourou were outstanding at the back and Rafa Benitez has still to register a league win over Bruce's men after five attempts. Ryan Babel combined to play Riise in on the left on five minutes, but his fierce low cross was too far ahead of Voronin.

Missed chances

Babel then cut in from the left and found Dirk Kuyt - but the striker was forced into a hurried shot wide. Birmingham's system, though, was disrupted on 16 minutes by what looked a bad injury to Borja Oubina on his full debut for the Midlanders - the loanee from Celta Vigo was carried off and replaced by Gary McSheffrey.

Jermaine Pennant produced a 25-yard effort which was turned over the bar by Maik Taylor, before Jose Reina made his only contribution to the first half when Wilson Palacios shot from 25 yards.

Liverpool continued to toil after the break, and Jamie Carragher saw an 18-yard effort deflected just over. From Pennant's corner, Gerrard stabbed in a near post effort which Mehdi Nafti cleared off the line.

Andrei Voronin was next to go close, stumbling as he picked up a through-ball, but still able to fire in a low shot that Taylor saved well to his left. Liverpool sent on Fernando Torres for Babel on the hour, before Olivier Kapo forced Reina into a save with a shot from 30 yards.

Torres introduced

Peter Crouch finally got on after 74 minutes to add some aerial threat, replacing Voronin - and two minutes later Torres produced an overhead kick which flashed inches over from Pennant's corner. Steve Finnan replaced the injured Pennant with three minutes left, the winger looking to have picked up a hamstring problem.

Birmingham held on comfortably in the end to pick up a deserved point as Liverpool drew for the third successive game.

Skysports

**Mighty T.A.L.** · 22-09-2007, 05:18 PM

What I really didn't like is when Pennant picked up a hamstring injury. He could be out for several weeks and now our injury list dosen't look good.

ManuelD · 22-09-2007, 09:27 PM

Benitez out at the end of the year Jose in.

**Mighty T.A.L.** · 23-09-2007, 08:41 AM

Liverpool have now played 3 draws... Can't continue like this. They hardly created chances yesterday and they struggled with the same problem against Pompey and Benfica. Liverpool is out of form.

**Mighty T.A.L.** · 23-09-2007, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ManuelD

Benitez out at the end of the year Jose in.

Mourinho have came to an agreement with Chelsea to not coach a premiership side.

henry14 · 23-09-2007, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ManuelD

Benitez out at the end of the year Jose in.

Maybe your thought is subjective, just one match then benitez should be fired, it is really ridiculous. Apparently, all the player were exhaust after a draw match with Porto in ECC.

NJ10 · 23-09-2007, 07:02 PM

We have beaten Birmingham at home in the Premier League. Nov 2003- 3-1 at Anfield- Gerrard (pen), Kewell, Heskey.

Yesterday we were dross. Strikers were so bad it was untrue, Kuyt's first touch sickens me considering he has all week to work on it. Voronin was equally bad, and with Pennant not playing particularly well, and Gerrard & Babel having a very poor start to the season, we had no threat. Mascherano was our best player, and that says it all really. We didnt deserve three points. Spose its a bit kneejerk to react after 3 draws in a week (2 away from home), but the manner of the performances is worrying. Its like the last three seasons all over again.