Arsène Wenger’s verdict on Liverpool’s struggles carried a sympathetic air. “At the moment they are in a period where no matter what they do, it goes against them,” the Arsenal manager said.

Wenger could have been referring to the infamous beach-ball incident away to Sunderland that has come to symbolise Liverpool’s malaise. Or perhaps it was the back-to-back last-minute goals conceded against Lyons. Maybe it was the muscle-straining efforts of Dirk Kuyt to retain possession away to Fulham nine days ago, an attempt that succeeded only in handing Roy Hodgson’s team a decisive goal. Then again, it could be the injury crisis that has denied the club of several of their best players at various stages of the season.

In probability, it was all four, although Rafael Benítez, Wenger’s counterpart at Liverpool, does agree that his team are suffering ill fortune.

“Yes, in some games,” Benítez said. “The timing also — against Tottenham and Aston Villa, we scored and conceded one minute later. Too many things have happened, like the beach ball or the late goals we have conceded against Lyons. But hopefully that will change.” Before tonight’s Barclays Premier League meeting with Birmingham City at Anfield, the Spaniard has made known his reluctance to allow Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres to join their national squads for the forthcoming round of friendlies, an understandable reaction given the injuries that have plagued them of late while on international duty.

Benítez is hopeful — and no more — that Torres and Gerrard will be available, if not fully fit, for the match against Alex McLeish’s side. The same applies to Fábio Aurélio, Albert Riera, Martin Skrtel, Alberto Aquilani and Glen Johnson, neither of whom is fully match fit despite being able to train over the weekend.

“We have players coming back and maybe we will have more options against Birmingham,” Benítez said. “Players being available and players being fit are different things, but at least you have players who can play 20 minutes if it’s necessary.”

Three defeats in their past four league games have lowered Liverpool’s expectations for the season, temporarily, at least. With potential involvement in the title race looking some way away, the immediate target is to ensconce themselves in the top four, although Benítez believes that they are only an upturn in fortune away from raising their sights again.

Liverpool (possible; 4-2-3-1): J M Reina — G Johnson, D Agger, M Skrtel, E Insúa — J Mascherano, Lucas Leiva — D Kuyt, A Aquilani, Y Benayoun — F Torres.

Birmingham City (possible; 4-4-2): Maik Taylor — S Carr, S Dann, R Johnson, L Ridgewell — S Larsson, L Carsley, L Bowyer, J McFadden — C Benítez, C Jerome.

Referee: P Walton.

Television: Live on ESPN from 7pm (kick-off 8pm).