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Reds need Anfield lift

Author: John Harris
Date: 09/11/2009
Football betting

Liverpool go into Monday's game against Birmingham City at Anfield desperate to claim three much-needed points after winning just once in their last eight games in all competitions.

A Premier League defeat at Fulham last weekend was followed by a 1-1 Champions League draw at Lyon on Wednesday, a result which left the Reds' hopes of progressing to the knockout stages of the competition hanging by a thread.

Rafa Benitez's side are already out of the Carling Cup and, if they fail to see off City, their Premier League title challenge could be over before mid-November.

Liverpool have picked up just three points from a possible 12 in recent weeks, and those came from the hardest game on paper - the 2-0 win over reigning champions and one of the online favourites to win this season's Premier League title, Manchester United.

However, last Saturday's dreadful display in the 3-1 defeat to Fulham and a failure to win in France has meant that Benitez is again a manager under intense pressure.

Good news for the Spaniard came with star striker Fernando Torres lasting almost the full 90 minutes against Lyon, but skipper Steven Gerrard will definitely miss the visit of Alex McLeish's side to Anfieled due to a groin problem.

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Defensive duo Philipp Degen and Jamie Carragher are both suspended following their red cards at Fulham.

Meanwhile, visiting City travel to Merseyside looking to build on impressive results in their last two games.

Sunderland were seen off 2-1 at St Andrew's before Manchester City were lucky to escape with a goalless draw that City only managed to earn when Shay Given saved James McFadden's penalty.

Veteran goalkeeper Maik Taylor started against the Citizens and may retain his place, despite loanee Joe Hart being back in contention after being ineligible to face his parent club.

Boss Alex McLeish has the luxury of a fully-fit squad to choose from as his side seek to take advantage of their hosts' recent struggles.

Despite some good displays, the Blues continue to find goals a problem and McFadden and Lee Bowyer are the joint top-scorers with two, while big-money summer signing Christian Benitez is still to find the net in ten appearances.

The corresponding fixture two seasons ago ended goalless, while the two sides shared the points from a 2-2 draw at St Andrew's later in the campaign.

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