Birmingham Big-Match preview

Liverpool return to Barclays Premier League action tonight with a home encounter against Birmingham City at Anfield.

The Blues come into the game on the back of a spirited performance in their goalless draw with Manchester City at St Andrews - but the Reds will aim to return to winning ways in the league following the 3-1 reversal to Fulham last time out.
 
Birmingham are unbeaten in their last three matches in front of the Kop and, on their last visit to Anfield in September 2007, the Blues claimed a point in a 0-0 stalemate.
 
Victory for Liverpool tonight will move the Reds up to fifth in the table.
 

The opposition
 
After returning to the Barclays Premier League in the summer, Birmingham City arrive at Anfield tonight hoping to build on two impressive home performances against Sunderland and Manchester City.
After beating the Black Cats 2-1, the Blues claimed a point in a goalless draw with City last weekend - though one point could have easily been three had it not been for Shay Given's penalty save from James McFadden.
 
Alex McLeish's side currently occupy 15th position in the table, but only have a victory over Hull City to show for their efforts on the road so far.
 
Midfielder Lee Bowyer is the Blues' top goalscorer with three strikes to his name this campaign.
 
The boss
 
Having already suffered the heartache of relegation once before, Alex McLeish is determined to make the most of Birmingham's return to the Barclays Premier League.
 
The Scot was in charge when the Blues slipped out of the top-flight in 2008, but he justified the Midlanders' decision to retain his services by instantly leading the club back into the Premier League.
 
After hanging up his boots following a distinguished playing career as a defender, in which he won 77 international caps for Scotland and lifted the European Cup Winners' Cup with Aberdeen, McLeish cut his managerial teeth at Motherwell.
 
He led the Lanarkshire outfit to a second place finish in the Scottish Premier League, however they were unable to scale those heights again and McLeish joined Hibernian in 1998 before being snapped-up by Rangers three years later.
 
The 50-year-old enjoyed instant success at Ibrox, winning both Scottish domestic cups in his first season in charge. The following campaign saw Rangers scoop the treble, but their next title triumph didn't arrive until 2005.
 
In 2005-06, McLeish steered Rangers into the last 16 of the Champions League - with the Gers becoming the first Scottish side to do so in more than a decade.
 
The international scene soon came calling as the Barrhead-born coach took over as Scotland boss in January 2007.
 
Though the Scots failed to qualify for the 2008 European Championships, they did record an historic 1-0 victory over France at the Parc des Princes in qualifying.
 
McLeish tendered his resignation from the post in November 2007 and was soon appointed as Birmingham boss.
 
While the Blues may have been relegated in his debut campaign in English football, he was able to mastermind an instant return to the top-flight last season as Birmingham claimed an automatic promotion spot in the Championship.
 
The danger man
 
Striker Christian 'Chucho' Benitez became Birmingham's record signing after completing a switch to St Andrews from Mexican club Santos Laguna in July.
 
The Ecuador international may have yet to find the back of the net for his new club, but his pace, strength and trickery have made him a hit with the Blues faithful.
 
In the build-up to tonight's game, boss Alex McLeish said: "Is Benitez becoming frustrated? I am hoping it is going to be like waiting for a bus. Once one comes, we get a barrel-load of goals and that tends to happen when you are waiting for a bus.
 
"I think Benitez has brought something extra to the team. There is no doubt that he upsets defences and I am delighted with his performances.
 
"To take the pressure off himself, he needs a goal.
 
"He will be craving that goal but he doesn't need to worry about his performances. I am very pleased with him."
 
Birmingham City fact file
 
Birmingham were formed in 1875 and originally known as Small Heath Alliance.
 
They club adopted the name Birmingham City in 1905.
 
Birmingham play at St Andrews and have done since 1906. The stadium currently has a capacity of 30,009.
 
The Blues' only major honour came in 1963 when they lifted the League Cup.
 
Gil Merrick is their all-time appearance record holder - he turned out 551 times for the Blues between 1946-59.
 
Joe Bradford is their record goalscorer - he netted 267 goals between 1920-35.
 
Match stats
By Ged Rea
 
Birmingham are unbeaten against Liverpool in the last six league games.
 
The Reds' last win over Birmingham came in May 2004 when goals from Michael Owen, Emile Heskey and Steven Gerrard secured a 3-0 win.
 
The Reds have only failed to score against City at Anfield twice in the last 87 years.
 
Liverpool have had as many players red-carded in the last two Premier League games, (3), as they did in the previous three and a half years.
 
Fernando Torres has scored 34 league goals at Anfield in his 35 appearances including six in five games this season.
 
Ryan Babel has now scored 12 goals for Liverpool as a substitute. Only David Fairclough (18) has come off the bench to score more for the club.
 
Birmingham are the only team that Liverpool have failed to beat in the Premier League under Rafa Benitez.
 
Seven of Birmingham's ten goals in all competitions this season have been scored from the 75th minute onwards but they have yet to open their account in the opening 36 minutes of any match.
 
Their last win (against Sunderland) a fortnight ago is the only time this season Birmingham have scored more than once in a league game.
 
Their three league wins have come against Portsmouth home, Hull away and Sunderland at home - all by the odd goal.