Birmingham 1 - 1 Liverpool - In-game and Post-match

Jump straight to full time? Click here: http://www.lfcreds.com/reds/index.php?topic=28942.msg626078#msg626078

Yossi Benayoun, Sotirios Kyrgiakos and Maxi Rodriguez come in against Birmingham this afternoon - a game you can listen to live from 2.55pm BST.

Daniel Agger, Javier Mascherano and Ryan Babel all make way.

The Liverpool team in full:

Reina, Insua, Johnson, Carragher, Kyrgiakos, Lucas, Gerrard, Rodriguez, Benayoun, Kuyt, Torres.

Subs: Cavalieri, Agger, Aquilani, Babel, Ngog, Degen, Mascherano.

Yes! No two holding midfielders!

4-4-2 it is then. I'm actually happy with that team, Mascherano must just be rested, a lot of games recently so maybe a good choice.

Wow, I'm surprised, Aquilani on the bench? Lucas in for Masch? No Pacheco.
Still pretty attacking and defo capable of winning with this team.

Agger and Masch rested?

Aquilani back to the bench so soon?

Babel benched when he can't play Thursday anyways?

Interesting stuff there.

Did think Babel's not the right choice for this one.  Birmingham could be very compact and he would really struggle if so.

Maxi and Yossi are the better options for their ability to play in small spaces whilst opening things up.

Good to see the 4-4-2 ish approach.

I reckon Aquilani was being a pussy and actually is ready to play, that or we needed to fill the bench.

Good starting 11, hope to see Benayoun playing in behind Torres an not Kuyt.

Disappointed to be honest shocked in our most important match of the season Lucas has got the nod over Masch, disappointed to see Benyoun playing ahead of Babel, Benyoun gives us absolutely nothing on the left.

 Suprised to see Agger on the bench as well he has been our best player the last few weeks. With that team I think we will struggle today.

Only explanation for Agger really is perhaps that he's played a number of games in succession and with his record for injuries it's best he's given a break before the Benfica match.

I've a big concern as well with the lack of pace in defence today as well, Birmingham strikers are fairly pacy and we don't have the defensive cover Masch usually provides.

I've a big concern as well with the lack of pace in defence today as well, Birmingham strikers are fairly pacy and we don't have the defensive cover Masch usually provides.

To be fair - Birmingham's backline is hardly lightning and they've got gliding Torres to deal with!

Don't think there is any real surprise with Agger. Kyrgiakos is needed for the physicality of Brum up front.

Fairly attacking line up.

Dropped the two holding midfielders everyone has been moaning about.

The effect of ten men midweek seems to have affected some players more than others.  That's a line up that has been sent to have a crack at winning at St Andrews and ending their 12 game unbeaten streak.

really dissapointed to be honest that masch, babel and agger have been left out of this one, he got this one wrong if you ask me with that team selection and we could really struggle today, hope im wrong.

Hmmm, Disappointed to see Masch on the bench to be honest and Babel and Agger rested too, One can only hope Rafa is going for the attacking impetus with two central midfielders who are going to join in on the attack.

Masch did look tired in midweek to be fair.

Why can't Aquilani start? He never seems to be capable of playing a full game.As I said before it's win or bust today.

Im just hoping for a win Birmingham seem to always turn up for the big games, I can understand the line up maybe if Rafa is resting games as probably this is the best game to do it, you dont want to do it too late incase i back fires and i suppose Birmingham are seen as the weekest opposition where we have a chance to get away with droping a few big names

I like that lineup, No disrespect to Birmingham but they should be the ones worrying about our team not the other way around. NO pace at the back yes but going forward we look strong enough to get a few goals today.

442 - attack,attack,attack....love it.

Didn't think he looked any more tired than Lucas. Disappointed with the team but come on you Reds this is the biggest game of the season lose this or even draw it and wave good bye to the Champions league.

I can't believe Mascherano has been benched! I can understand Agger being rested to a certain degree. Interesting to see how this pans out. What the F**k is going on with Aquilani? One minute he says he's feeling pain and there's a possibility of exploratory surgery and the next he's on the F***ing bench! Did Rafa's subliminal message work it's way through to Aquilani's subconscious? HHMMMMMMM............... ..

Come on Redmen, time to stand up and be counted.  

Still F***ing half an hour!