Gerrard earns Reds point from the spot

A Steven Gerrard penalty saved Liverpool from further disappointment at Anfield as they recued a 2-2 draw against Birmingham City.

Gerrard came on as a substitute seconds before the break and drove home a hotly disputed spot-kick in the second half to salvage a point.
 
Liverpool led early on through a David Ngog goal but Christian Benitez nodded the equaliser and Cameron Jerome smashed home a stunning 30-yarder to put Birmingham ahead until Gerrard's intervention.
 
Fernando Torres was not included in the squad as Liverpool sought a second win in nine games but Steven Gerrard was named on the bench. Spain striker Torres has been playing with a groin injury but was given an opportunity to rest as David Ngog was brought in up front by manager Rafael Benitez.
 
Gerrard, who has also had a groin problem, was a substitute alongside Alberto Aquilani, while Glen Johnson, Albert Riera and Martin Skrtel all returned from injury to start. Jamie Carragher was suspended following his dismissal at Fulham.
 
Birmingham were without the suspended Barry Ferguson, who was replaced by Teemu Tainio, and Joe Hart returned in goal in place of Maik Taylor, who deputised for the home draw with Manchester City, Hart's parent club. 
 
Of all Liverpool's young imports, Ngog has looked the most likely to break through this season, and his balance and clever control were soon in evidence. Lee Bowyer saw an effort from 25 yards fly over the bar for the visitors, but they were soon being pinned back.
 
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 to see his first effort blocked by Hart. The ball flew to Kuyt, and again Hart got his legs in the way to deflect a firm effort. But when the rebound dropped for Ngog, there was no mistake this time with a close-range volley into the roof of the net.
 
Tainio limped of two minutes later, former Everton midfielder Lee Carsley coming on to a customary 'welcome' from the Kop.
 
Johnson almost repeated his role in Liverpool's goal after 23 minutes, this time cutting between James McFadden and Liam Ridgewell before crossing to the near post, where Hart snatched the ball from Ngog's toes.
 
Liverpool had been cruising to this point, but Birmingham struck back with an impressive set-piece. McFadden fired a free-kick into the box, Roger Johnson headed back across goal where Scott Dann nodded on for Ecuador striker Christian 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.
 
Birmingham's Benitez was presented with another opportunity after 42 minutes when he was put clear. But Reina forced him wide and the eventual shot sailed harmlessly wide.
 
A minute from the break Riera, who had been on a solo bid to score from outside the box at every opportunity, suffered a recurrence of his hamstring injury, and Gerrard was instantly sent on as substitute. And within seconds Birmingham were ahead when Jerome shook off the attentions of Mascherano to lash a swerving 30-yard effort into the top corner.
 
Then after 62 minutes Gerrard saw a low header hit Hart's left-hand post from Johnson's cross from the right.
 
McFadden was booked for a foul on Johnson, the Scot being substituted soon after to be replaced by Gregory Vignal.
 
Then Liverpool were awarded a hotly-disputed penalty. Ngog got himself to the byline and looked to hurdle a Carsley lunge, the Birmingham man's foot not touching the Liverpool youngster.
 
Carsley and Ngog exchanged views and pushes and referee Peter Walton booked both before Gerrard stepped up to drill home the penalty.
 
Liverpool lost Benayoun with a hamstring pull after 76 minutes, Ryan Babel coming on. Gerrard fired over a cross for Ngog to fire wide at the near post before sending an 18-yarder just wide.
 
With nine minutes left Aquilani finally got his Anfield debut as a substitute for Lucas. Birmingham sent on Gary McSheffrey for Benitez after 86 minutes. Birmingham were forced to defend desperately in the final minutes and hung on for a point.  

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