The night started well at Anfield as Liverpool took the lead, Hart made a brilliant double stop from David Ngog and Dirk Kuyt, Riera hooked the ball back across the goal and Ngog hit a ferocious left-footed volley into the roof of the net. Birmingham equalised in the 25th minute from a set piece, Christian Benitez eventually turning the ball home from four yards. And then on the stroke of halftime Birmingham silenced the home crowd, Cameron Jerome plucked a ball out the air with a fantastic first touch before letting rip with a swerving 35-yard howitzer that whizzed past Riena. Liverpool cranked up the pressure after the break, Steven Gerrard hitting the post with a header. With just over 20 minutes on the clock Liverpool won a penalty, Ngog diving under a challenge from Lee Carsley, and Steven Gerrard dispatched the spot kick for 2-2.