Good Game Bad Game [vs Birmingham City]

When David N'Gog scored so early on, the game opened itself perfectly for Liverpool: this was the ideal starting point, the launching pad that could lead to a much needed win. Then came the inevitable defensive lapse that resulted in a conceeded goal which was followed up by the sucker punch of Cameron Jerome's splendid but somewhat fortiuitous goal and suddenly it was a repeat of so many games this season.

In the second half, as in the first, Liverpool continued to dominate but, even so, there never was the confidence that this game could be turned. Indeed, the players lacked the conviction needed to really cause Birmingham problems: if anything they looked frightened at the prospect of dropping points.

Fair play to Birmingham who came with a game-plan and executed it well. But for N'Gog's dramatic fall in the box, they could have even won this. Then again, that would have been too harsh on Liverpool

Good Game
Daniel Agger's ability with the ball at his feet adds another dimension to Liverpool's play especially in games like these were he needs to play as an added midfielder. Martin Skrtel hasn't yet reached the same levels of last season but he was good enough for most of the game. This was a solid, if unspectacular, game by Emiliano Insua who is making improvements with each game even if he needs to pay more attention so as not to keep players onside when the others have moved forward.

The highlight of the night was Glen Johnson's performance as the right-back was quite simply sensational. Time after time the tore a hole in the Birmingham defence and they never really managed to quiten him. Liverpool have missed him in recent games: my man of the match.

It is in games like this that Liverpool need a more creative midfield force then Javier Mascherano and Lucas Leiva. Neither one of the two played badly but the truth is that playing two essentially defensive midfielders against a side with no real intention to attack is an invite for trouble.

Albert Riera wasn't having a particularly good game until he left the pitch injured (and, judging by his reaction, it doesn't look good) yet his presence on the left was stretching the Birmingham defence and leaving a lot of gaps for the midfielders to exploit. Yossi Benayoun, who eventually went to fill that role once Riera departed the pitch, doesn't have that same sort of skill yet he did well enough with his usual movement and flair. Unfortunately, given the way that Birmingham were playing - with eight players in the penalty box - it was difficult for him to run past them or thread through that telling pass.

David N'Gog scored, won the penalty (although, in fairness, it shouldn't have been given) and made a decent fist of a couple of half chances. Even allowing for a number of mis-controlled passes, this was another promising game by the young striker who is continuously improving and is developing nicely into Fernando Torres' deputy.

Bad Game
Birmingham had two shots on goal and both of them went in. So it is hard not to say that Pepe Reina had a bad game. In truth, he could do little about the first but for the second he was caught too far away from goal and that is why Jerome's shot went in.

There is no faulting Dirk Kuyt's commitment yet sometimes more than that is needed. For all his huff and puff, Liverpool needed a bit more guile from him - occasionally beating the full back would have been nice - and they didn't get it here.

Substitutes
Steven Gerrard was a welcome sight but, despite scoring the penalty, seemed a bity rusty. Hopefully, he will be back to his usual form by the end of the international break. After last week's goal, there was an element of surprise in Ryan Babel's exclusion from the starting line-up. When he did come on, however, he did very litle to justify Benitez having more confidence in him.

There was another cameo appearance for Alberto Aquilani and once again he showed so excellent touches.

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