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Posts Tagged ‘consternation’

In all the consternation over the likely elimination from the Champions League there was scant time left to remember that Liverpool had dominated their opponents in Lyon before conceding the last-minute equaliser. That should have been encouraging when Fernando Torres was half-fit and Steven Gerrard could not take part. The Englishman might be ready to face a competitive Birmingham side, but Liverpool could also help themselves by regaining some of their old durability in defence. Kevin McCarra

Venue Anfield

Tickets £26-36 (0844 844 0844)

Last season n/a

Referee P Walton

This season’s matches 7 Y19, R1, 2.86 cards per game

sportingbet odds Liverpool 2-7 Birmingham 9-1 Draw 7-2

Liverpool

Subs from Cavalieri, Aquilani, Voronin, Aurélio, Kyrgiakos, Babel, Spearing, Ngog, El Zhar, Dossena, Eccleston, Ayala

Doubtful Aurélio (calf), Dossena (groin), Gerrard (groin), Kelly (ankle), Torres (abdomen)

Injured Riera (hamstring, 21 Nov), Johnson (calf, unknown)

Suspended Carragher (one match), Degen (first of three)

Form guide LWLLWW

Disciplinary record Y15 R3

Leading scorer Torres 10

Birmingham

Subs from Maik Taylor, Phillips, O’Shea, O’Connor, D Johnson, Parnaby, McSheffrey, Queudrue, Tainio, Vignal, Fahey, Espinoza

Doubtful Espinoza (ankle), Fahey (knee), O’Connor (groin)

Injured Martin Taylor (ankle, 21 Nov), Murphy (knee, Dec), Wilson (shoulder, Dec)

Suspended Ferguson (one match)

Form guide DWLLLW

Disciplinary record Y19 R1

Leading scorers Bowyer, McFadden 2

Match pointers

• Birmingham are unbeaten in their last six Premier League meetings with Liverpool

• These sides have met in November nine times in all competitions since 1924 and seven of those encounters have ended in away wins

• Liverpool average one goal per game in matches where Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres are both absent

• Lee Bowyer is three bookings short of equalling the Premier League record of 89 in a career set by Robbie Savage

• Emiliano Insúa (height 1.65m) is currently the joint shortest (with Aaron Lennon) player in the division

Premier LeagueLiverpoolBirmingham Cityguardian.co.uk