Liverpool draw 2-2 with Birmingham

By DANIEL ROSE STATS European Football Writer=

LONDON (SE) - Liverpool striker David Ngog was branded a cheat by Birmingham midfielder Lee Carsley after appearing to dive to earn Rafael Benitez’s side a point-saving penalty during Monday’s 2-2 draw at Anfield.

Steven Gerrard came off the substitutes’ bench to spare Liverpool from an embarrassing sixth Premier League defeat of the season by converting from the spot 19 minutes from time.

Television replays showed Ngog tricked referee Peter Walton into awarding the spot-kick by diving over Carsley’s challenge.

Furious Carsley said: “He is very young and quick. He went past me but I was nowhere near touching him. It is an absolute joke.

“I have a family and if I went home having done something like that I would be embarrassed to go home.

“We are supposed to be leading by example to young kids and that is a blatant case of cheating.”

Liverpool were again missing top-scorer Fernando Torres while Gerrard was fit enough only for a place on the bench.

The home side got off to a strong start with Ngog giving them the lead after only 13 minutes.

Birmingham goalkeeper Joe Hart pulled off a magnificent double save to deny Ngog and Dirk Kuyt but the ball broke kindly for Albert Riera and the Spaniard’s cross was brilliantly volleyed home at the back post by Ngog.

The home side’s joy was short-lived as Birmingham bit back 13 minutes later through Christian Benitez’s first Premier League goal.

Liverpool failed to deal with James McFadden’s free kick, which was flicked on by Roger Johnson and Scott Dann for Ecuador striker Benitez to nod in from close range.

Birmingham found themselves in front on the stroke of half time thanks to Cameron Jerome’s stunning 35-yard blockbuster.

Liverpool dominated possession in the second half but failed to break down Birmingham’s stubborn rearguard before the controversial penalty award.

Gerrard almost compounded Birmingham’s sense of injustice when he headed against a post from Glen Johnson’s cross late on.

Birmingham manager Alex McLeish also claimed Ngog dived, saying: “It is a shame for the game. He has conned the referee and won his team a penalty.

“Lee put his foot in but he did not make contact with the player. Peter Walton is a good referee but he got that decision wrong.

“I do not know if the crowd played a part but I hope not with a referee of his experience.

“We have to be realistic because we have got a good point and scored two great goals after Liverpool took the lead. Not many teams do that at Anfield but it is a shame we could not hold on.”

Liverpool manager Benitez, whose side are now 11 points behind league leaders Chelsea, said: “It is difficult to explain how we did not win because we had so many chances and a lot of possession.

“I have spoken to David and he said maybe it was not a penalty but we had 74 per cent of possession and I do not know how many attempts.”