Draw casts Liverpool deeper into gloom

LONDON - Liverpool’s distant hopes of the Premier League title suffered a further blow Monday as they were held to a 2-2 draw by Birmingham City.

David Ngog put Rafa Bentitez’s side ahead, before goals from Christian Benitez and Cameron Jerome gave Birmingham an unlikely lead.

A controversial penalty from substitute Steven Gerrard earned Liverpool a point, but in a game they dominated, this was definitely two points dropped.

Birmingham were furious after Ngog tumbled theatrically over Lee Carlsey’s challenge.

“He’s very young and he’s quick and he went past me and I was nowhere near,” said Carsley. “It’s a joke.

“I’m sure he’s got a family and if I went home having (done) something like that I’d be embarrassed.

“He’s supposed to be teaching young kids an example, but that’s just an embarrassing example of cheating.”

Birmingham manager Alex McLeish was equally infuriated.

“This is a shame for the game,” he said. “He’s conned the referee. Lee’s put his foot on but he’s not made contact.”

Liverpool lie 11 points behind leaders Chelsea and, to make matters worse, Liverpool lost Albert Riera to a recurrence of his hamstring injury, while Yossi Benayoun was also forced off by a thigh injury later on.

“It’s difficult to explain when we had so many chances, so much possession,” said Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez.

“It’s unbelievable you can talk about a draw

“We had clear chances and we were attacking all the time, and they didn’t have many chances.

“The message for everyone is that we are working so hard things must change.”

Yet Liverpool seemed in control from the off, taking a 13th-minute lead.

Birmingham keeper Joe Hart saved from Ngog and then Dirk Kuyt, but as the ball was worked back into the middle, Ngog volleyed in.

But then, from nothing, Birmingham levelled. Roger Johnson got above Glen Johnson and to head across goal, Liam Ridgewell flicked on, and Benitez nodded in from close range.

Suddenly Liverpool’s nervousness was obvious, and reflected in an unusually quite Anfield.

The Kop roared their approval, though, when captain Gerrard, half- fit after a fortnight out, came on a minute before half-time to replace Riera.

Before the break, though, Birmingham had the lead, Jerome taking down a long ball and smacking a speculative shot that sailed over Jose Reina.

Gerrard hit the outside of the post, and then, amid a welter of pressure, referee Peter Walton awarded Liverpool a penalty after Ngog’s fall.

Liverpool continued to press after Gerrard had converted form the spot, but a winner remained elusive.