James McFadden simply hung a free-kick up to the back post, Roger Johnson was put under no pressure as he flicked on, nor was Scott Dann, and, inevitably given his surname, Christian Benitez did the rest.
That goal completely took the wind out of Liverpool’s sails but worse, incredibly, was to follow. Quite why Martin Skrtel felt the need to play a head high ball to Steven Gerrard in first half injury time only he will know, but his decision was given maximum punishment.
Admittedly, Cameron Jerome’s strike was quite spectacular, a dipping volley which flew past Pepe Reina.
Whatever Benitez said in the dressing room, however, worked the oracle as the intensity of the Reds‘ movement was encouraging.
Ultimately, however, they could not find a killer instinct in the final third, a point proven by the fact Hart’s only saves of note in the second period were shots from distance by Lucas and Yossi Benayoun.
That the bleak scenario of a sixth Premier League defeat was avoided was thanks to referee Peter Walton adjudging Lee Carsley’s tackle on a Ngog to be illegal and pointing to the spot to give Liverpool a lifeline.
Whether they should have had the chance is open to debate as Ngog told Benitez no contact was made but Gerrard made no mistake from 12 yards yet it did not trigger the anticipated grandstand finish.
So frustrating. Three points were not just required to improve the position in the table – they were needed to ease everyone’s peace of mind and placate anxiety.
Instead we must hope those on international duty return unscathed and the injured few improve in time to face Manchester City. Fate, surely, can’t deal any more jokers – can it?
LIVERPOOL (4-2-3-1): Reina; G Johnson, Skrtel, Agger, Insua; Mascherano, Lucas (Aquilani 82); Benayoun (Babel 77), Kuyt, Riera (Gerrard 45); Ngog.
BIRMINGHAM (4-4-2): Hart; Carr, R Johnson, Dann, Ridgewell; Larsson, Bowyer, Tainio (Carsley 15), McFadden (Vignal 67); Jerome, Benitez (McSheffrey 86). Goals - Ngog (13), Benitez (26), Jerome (45+2), Gerrard (71p).
Bookings - McFadden (64), Ngog (70) Carsley (70).
ATTENDANCE: 42,560.
REFEREE: Peter Walton.
