Gerrard goal still evoke Liverpool's hopes of securing a Champions League spot

BIRMINGHAM CITY 1
- Ridgewell 56

LIVERPOOL 1
- Gerrard 47

**Liverpool's hopes of securing a Champions League spot are hanging by a slender thread after Birmingham City defender Liam Ridgewell earned his side a share of the spoils at St. Andrew's.

Reds skipper Steven Gerrard put his side ahead a minute into the second half but Ridgewell levelled matters nine minutes later.

It means Rafael Benitez's side are four points adrift of fourth-placed Manchester City and have played a match more.

And the Spaniard is still searching for a first Barclays Premier League victory over Blues in eight attempts spanning his six seasons at Anfield.

Birmingham again showed the resilience which has been their trademark in preserving a seven-month unbeaten home record.

And the share of the spoils with Liverpool means they have drawn at St. Andrew's with every one of the current top six this season.

The first half-chance fell to the in-form Fernando Torres after he was picked out by a pass from Maxi Rodriguez but his first touch was surprisingly poor and took him away from goal.

Gerrard was operating mainly in a deeper role but he ventured forward to find the overlapping Rodriguez in space only for his shot to be blocked by Roger Johnson.

Teams :

Birmingham City: Joe Hart, Scott Dann, Roger Johnson, Liam Ridgewell, Stephen Carr, Lee Bowyer, Barry Ferguson, Cameron Jerome, James McFadden (Kevin Phillips 78), Keith Fahey, Craig Gardner.

Liverpool: Jose Reina, Jamie Carragher, Sotirios Kyrgiakos, Emiliano Insua, Glen Johnson, Lucas, Steven Gerrard, Yossi Benayoun (Ryan Babel 71), Maxi Rodriguez, Fernando Torres (David Ngog 65), Dirk Kuyt (Alberto Aquilani 81).