DIFFERENT manager, same old problems.

Rafael Benitez didn’t manage to mastermind a league victory over Birmingham City during his six-year reign at Anfield and the wait goes on under Roy Hodgson.

On a frustrating afternoon at St Andrew’s Liverpool had to settle for a point and in truth they deserved nothing more than that.

Benitez couldn’t cure the club’s travel sickness last season and the appointment of Hodgson hasn’t delivered an instant solution.

Of course a share of the spoils against an industrious Birmingham side unbeaten at home in 17 games stretching back to last September is hardly a disaster. That remarkable sequence for Alex McLeish’s side includes draws with Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal.

On the back of an international break during which his players were strewn all over the globe, Hodgson admitted he was delighted to take something from a bruising contest.

But the lack of guile and creativity away from Anfield remains a major concern.

Liverpool won only five times on their travels last season and their 19 away days yielded just 18 goals. The only win in their last 11 away games was at relegated Burnley in April.

This time around, having visited Manchester City and Birmingham, they have yet to find the net and in truth have rarely looked like doing so.

With a trip to Manchester United to come this Sunday, Hodgson must quickly find a way to bolster his side’s threat in the final third.

The return of Joe Cole for that assignment at Old Trafford following his three-match suspension will undoubtedly help.