Controversy reigned at Anfield after Liverpool were handed a contentious penalty to earn a point against Birmingham.

Referee Peter Walton pointed to the spot with 19 minutes to go after David N’Gog tumbled over Lee Carsley and Steven Gerrard converted, with the away side still protesting that the striker had dived.

Blues had got themselves into a winning position after N’Gog opened the scoring on 13 minutes with a volley.

Record signing Christian Benitez got on the end of a well worked move to nod in the equaliser and his first goal for the club after 26 minutes, before a 30 yard rocket from Cameron Jerome three minutes into first-half stoppage time put Alex McLeish’s side ahead.