Listen - Birmingham City 2-2 Liverpool - Rafa praises 'fight' shown

Listen to Rafa Benitez' post-Birmingham comments!

As expected, Rafa Benitez fielded a much changed side ahead of Liverpool's crucial Champions League Semi-Final 2nd Leg against Chelsea on Tuesday.

Top scorer Fernando Torres had the afternoon off whilst Steven Gerrard was left on the bench as a precaution. In the end, despite the Merseysiders' finding themselves two down at one stage, it didn't propel the England midfielder into the action.

A Mikel Forssell goal and a trademark Sebastian Larsson free kick made it seem as if the Blues' were fighting their way out of relegation trouble.

Benitez was called on last week to respect the integrity of the league by fielding a competitive side against Fulham, which they ran out 2-0 winners in.

Less than an hour in this time and it was the other way round. But a collapse followed for the home side in front of a sell out home crowd at St Andrews.

Peter Crouch side footed home from ex-Birmingham winger Jermaine Pennant, before Yossi Benayoun's deflected header left the home side deflated as they threw two points away.

Benitez admitted his side had a bit of luck but praised the manner in which his side came back into the match.

Related - McLeish annoyed at collapse

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