Reds out to end record

Liverpool return to Barclays Premier League action with a trip to St Andrews to take on Birmingham City this afternoon.

Following Thursday's battling Europa League display at Benfica, the Reds will aim to continue their top four push at one of the league's toughest venues.

Birmingham have enjoyed a fine season under the stewardship of Alex McLeish and currently occupy a midtable position.

They've lost just twice at home in the league this season and have held Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal to draws at St Andrews.

The two teams played out an entertaining 2-2 draw the last time they contested this fixture in April 2008, with the Reds' last league away win to Birmingham coming in May 2004.

2-2 was also the scoreline when the sides met at Anfield earlier this campaign. In a topsy-turvy encounter, David Ngog put Liverpool into the lead only for Christian Benitez and Cameron Jerome to fire the visitors ahead.

But Steven Gerrard's second-half penalty rescued a point for the Reds meaning the last five league fixtures between the teams have ended in draws.

The opposition

Birmingham are currently ninth in the Barclays Premier League table and head into today's game having held Arsenal to a 1-1 draw at St Andrews last weekend.

The Blues can boast a superb home record and are unbeaten in their last 12 on their own soil - their best run since 1974.

Bolton were the last team to claim three points at Birmingham back in September 2009.

However, they are without a win in their last four and have only mustered three victories in 12 matches since the turn of the year.

In the build-up to today's meeting, boss Alex McLeish said: "This is a game we relish.

"This game comes into the glamour side of the game for the Premier League, playing against one of the top teams.

"We know we had to win our bread and butter games, which we have done this season, which is the reason why we have stayed in the league but we have done well against the big guns, especially against them at St. Andrews.

"Teams don't relish coming here. Liverpool are in great form at the moment. They were unlucky in Europe on Thursday, one or two difficult refereeing decisions.

"But they were certainly in top form against Sunderland last week."

The boss

Having already suffered the heartache of relegation, it's fair to say Alex McLeish was determined to make the most of Birmingham's return to the Barclays Premier League last summer.

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 and establishing them as one of the division's toughest outfits.

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 51-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

Cameron Jerome is Birmingham's top scorer this season having netted nine goals so far this term - including a cracker in the 2-2 draw at Anfield in November.

Despite his powerful frame, the forward is blessed with searing pace and Birmingham's official website claims the 23-year-old is currently the fastest player on the books at St Andrews.

Jermone made his name at Cardiff City before Birmingham swooped for his services in May 2006 - and his goals helped fire the Blues to Barclays Premier League promotion in 2007 and 2009.

The classic

Birmingham 0-3 Liverpool
Barclays Premier League
May 8, 2004

Liverpool cruised to a comfortable 3-0 victory over Birmingham in their penultimate game of the 2003-04 season.

Michael Owen, Emile Heskey - who would later move to St Andrews that summer - and Steven Gerrard were on target in a comprehensive win for the Reds.

The result ensured the Reds claimed European football - and a 1-1 final day draw with Newcastle, which would prove to be Gerard Houllier's final game in charge, would secure a Champions League berth.

Video: Rafa previews today's clash>>