Graphic: Bill Edgar's tactical analysis

They may have arrived in England at the same time, but while José Mourinho has left Chelsea having delivered two league championships to Stamford Bridge, Rafael BenÍtez appears as far away as ever from ending Anfield’s 17-year championship itch.

BenÍtez’s 120th league game in charge of Liverpool was supposed to be a straightforward affair but it will be remembered as one of his most frustrating afternoons since arriving from Spain 39 months ago.

Suddenly, having enjoyed a brief stint at the top of the table earlier this month, BenÍtez approaches October lagging behind free-flowing Arsenal and facing more questions over his selection policy.

As Maik Taylor, the Birmingham goalkeeper, acknowledged, the absence of Fernando Torres from the starting line-up gave the visiting team a huge lift. Torres had run riot in his previous Anfield outing against Derby County three weeks earlier yet the Spain forward spent an hour on the bench before he was called into action.

He almost won it with an overhead kick yet Liverpool’s failure to win for the third successive game was not simply down to the fact that their most talented goalscorer did not start.

Too many players had off days, leaving a bewildered BenÍtez to admit that Liverpool’s title ambitions were entering a make-or-break stage. “To win the League you must win most of your games,” BenÍtez said. “To draw away to Portsmouth after the internationals is not bad. To draw the first game of the Champions League away to Porto is not bad, but I think we have lost two points against Birmingham.”

This was the first time Birmingham had not conceded on the road at this level since they visited Everton 17 months ago. Liam Ridgewell, the captain, led by example as they frustrated the hosts with a resolute performance that left Steve Bruce dreaming of returning to Anfield next season.

“No disrespect to the Championship, but we were playing at places like Colchester this time last season and we missed coming to places steeped in history,” the Birmingham manager said. “If we carry on playing like that then we’ve got an outstanding chance of coming back here next season.”

Borja Oubina, Birmingham’s Spain midfield player, is likely to be out for the rest of the year after he suffered a serious knee ligament injury.

Liverpool (4-4-2): J M Reina 6 – Á Arbeloa 6, S Hyypia 5, J Carragher 6, J A Riise 6 – J Pennant 6 (sub: S Finnan, 87min), S Gerrard 6, J Mascherano 5, R Babel 6 (sub: F Torres, 60 6) – D Kuyt 6, A Voronin 6 (sub: P Crouch, 74). Substitutes not used: CH Itandje, M Sissoko. Next: Wigan Athletic (a).

Birmingham City (4-4-1-1): M Taylor 7 – S Kelly 7, J Djourou 7, L Ridgewell 8, F Queudrue 7 – S Larsson 6, W Palacios 7 (sub: G O’Connor, 68 6), M Nafti 7, B Melendez (sub: G McSheffrey, 13 7) – O Kapo 7 – C Jerome 7 (sub: R Schmitz, 80). Substitutes not used: R Kingson, M Forssell. Booked: McSheffrey, Ridgewell. Next: Manchester United (h).

Referee L Mason
Attendance 44,215