What a start to the season - slooooow.
Reminds me of last year. Chelsea is already pulling away. It's sad to see Everton playing so badly after their magnificent run last year. But Liverpool is playing very badly. Read what Steven Gerard had to say about it :
LIVERPOOL captain Steven Gerrard branded the Reds 'not good enough' after they were held to a 2-2 draw at Birmingham City last night.
The Champions League winners took the lead at St Andrews but needed a late penalty to salvage a point after Birmingham stunned the Reds by scoring twice.
'Taking the lead, that was the hard part,' Gerrard said. 'To concede after that was a massive disappointment - not good enough.'
'We came here for three points and we're disappointed to go away with one.'
Substitute Luis Garcia gave Liverpool the lead. But a Stephen Warnock own goal and Walter Pandiani's first of the season after a mistake from Reds goalkeeper Jose Reina had seemingly put Birmingham on track for all three points. Teenage debutant Neil Kilkenny handed Liverpool their vital spot kick, punching the ball off the line, and Djibril Cisse scored the penalty.
Gerrard said on Warnock's error: 'I feel for Stevie. I've done it myself in a Cup final so I know exactly how he feels but he'll learn from that.
'The keeper won't be happy with his mistake but he's been superb for us. We need to forget about mistakes and take the positives,' he told Sky Sports News.
Liverpool have had a stuttering start to their English Premiership campaign. Though unbeaten, Rafael Benitez's side had scored just one goal in their four League matches before the Birmingham draw.
The Reds now face two home games against Premiership champions Chelsea, first in the Champions League on Wednesday and then in the League next Sunday.
'I'm looking forward to it, two exciting games,' Gerrard said.
'I'm sure the media will build it up even more so hopefully we can get some good results there.'
Manager Rafael Benitez said the Reds were heading into the Chelsea double-header with a spring in their step.
But he admitted there was work to do to iron out the errors that gifted Birmingham their goals.
'We know that we need to improve in some things,' the Spaniard said.
'It was a pity because I think that we lost two points. The team continues working hard.
'We can start thinking about Chelsea. We approach the game with confidence because we know we can score goals. We are more consistent this year.'
He paid tribute to Luis Garcia, whose introduction just after the hour mark got Liverpool the goal their fans had been waiting for.
'He's a clever player, he plays well between the lines he can play on the right or the left side. He gives us more chances, more opportunities, more space and more game intelligence,' Benitez said.
Birmingham boss Steve Bruce was left fuming over referee Steve Bennett's decision to award Liverpool the corner which led to Kilkenny's handball on the line.
'We're very, very disappointed,' Bruce said.
'It was a bad, bad decision which ultimately cost us. How bad it's going to cost us we won't know until the end of the season.
'We've had a pretty lousy start at home but I think we can see signs. There are good players here. We've got to be a little bit patient. Once we get a fully fit squad, we'll be OK.'
- AFP
