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Aquilani poised for Reds bow Liverpool's fans will finally get the chance to welcome #20million Alberto Aquilani to Anfield.

The Italy international, signed in August, has been recovering from a knee operation since.

Now, having also overcome a recent virus problem, the 25-year-old seems certain to make his Barclays Premier League debut for the club against Birmingham at Anfield.

The fans have waited so long to see the man bought to replace Xabi Alonso, so he can expect a hero's reception.

Certainly his appearance in the squad will give Liverpool's worried support something to cheer with fitness doubts surrounding Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard.

Manager Rafael Benitez looks likely to name Aquilani on the bench, and give him the opportunity of a cameo appearance in the second half.

Benitez said: "It could be the time to let the Anfield fans see Aquilani at last.

"He has been getting fitter and had a short spell in a reserve game and then a few minutes at Arsenal in the Carling Cup.

"We had him with us in Lyon last week and I did want to bring him on. But Lucas and Javier Mascherano were controlling the game.

"So we waited a bit, we did not want to change the way the side were playing, even though he could have come on. Then we scored and there was no need to use him, it was just a shame we conceded so late.

"He was almost over the virus and he will certainly be much better on Monday.

"He has trained well. He does not have match fitness, but the only way to improve that is to play him in games.

"We have more players available now, so maybe he can be on the bench and then come on to change the game if necessary. He will certainly be involved." Torres has the better chance of being involved against the Midlanders as he struggles with a groin problem.

Gerrard has barely trained for a fortnight, but Benitez was pleased with his involvement in a training sessionon Saturday and his chances of facing Birmingham improved.

Fabio Aurelio, Martin Skrtel and Albert Riera are also likely to return from injuries. Glen Johnson has also improved his after training this weekend, but he and Martin Kelly are still struggling.

Birmingham midfielder Barry Ferguson is suspended for the clash.

The former Scotland international was sent off for two bookable offences during Sunday's goalless draw with Manchester City and could be replaced by Lee Carsley.

On-loan goalkeeper Joe Hart is available after being ineligible to face his parent club although deputy Maik Taylor impressed against Mark Hughes' side.

Winger Keith Fahey is battling to overcome a knock to his knee in training but striker Garry O'Connor is still troubled by a groin problem and is a doubt.

Defender Scott Dann is backing his boyhood heroes Liverpool to recover from their current dip in fortunes - but hopes any revival will not start until after the clash between the two clubs.

Dann was born on Merseyside and used to be a Kop season ticket holder along with his father.

But he hopes Alex McLeish's side can take advantage of Liverpool's current plight.

Dann, signed from Coventry during the close season, said: "I think this is just a blip for Liverpool. I think they've won only one out of eight and they've got too many good players to be losing that many games.

"They're missing the big players and, when you miss your better players, then you won't get as many results.

"In a way, it gives you a lift, knowing that they've got quite a few players out, and knowing that you've got more chance of getting a result.

"But the longer that their poor run goes on, then they'll be trying extra hard to turn it around. It can work both ways but we've just got to stick to our own game.

Liverpool 2-2 Birmingham

Last modified 08:31 10/11/09

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The fog that swirled off the Mersey to engulf Anfield last night still lingered at the end of this tense, nervy contest.

AS a metaphor for Liverpool’s situation, it was perfect. The gloom had dissipated somewhat by the end, but not entirely, not even after Rafael Benitez’s side finally got an outrageous slice of the good fortune their manager previously complained, bitterly, has been absent all season.

One win now in their last nine matches means that there will still be pointed questions asked of the Spanish coach and his team. Yet there were signs that the fog of crisis IS lifting for the Anfield club, even if they needed a blatant bit of gamesmanship from their young striker David Ngog to help.

For a start, for all the disappointment of dropping two points at home against a Birmingham side they are expected to beat, they created enough chances to have won comfortably, and on another day would have buried their visitors without the help of a dubious - make that appalling - penalty.

And perhaps more importantly, even if they remain 11 points behind leaders Chelsea, the chill night air was warmed by the sight of skipper Steven Gerrard striding from the substitutes’ bench to take possession once more of the captain’s armband, and immediately provide the leadership that has been sadly lacking in recent weeks.

It was Gerrard who orchestrated the comeback after Birmingham had shocked the home side with two goals just before half time to shatter fragile Liverpool confidence and set the alarm bells ringing once more.

It was Gerrard who hit the post with a brilliant, brave header, and it was he who drove down the right to cross for Ngog and provide the chance to win the game the youngster was unlucky to see flash the wrong side of the post. It was him who courageously stepped forward to convert the penalty for an equaliser under huge pressure.

Most importantly, it was the skipper who roused not just a crowd who greeted his introduction with a rabid welcome, but team-mates too, who were visibly lifted by the arrival of the cavalry of their talisman. When stand-in skipper Dirk Kuyt handed over the armband, it was though he was passing over the baton of responsibility for getting Liverpool out of this mess.

Not that Birmingham will agree Gerrard’s contribution deserved to gain anything for the home side. They will rightly argue that referee Peter Walton was conned by Ngog, who admitted himself afterwards that he dived to win the award at a crucial time for his side.

It was an outrageous dive too, an example of the sort of cynical play that is all too common in the Premier League these days, and one that will ultimately threaten the popularity of this great game if it is allowed to flourish more widely.

It came on 70 minutes, just as it seemed Birmingham were heading for a famous victory, as the confidence in their opponents crumbled visibly, and the chances that Gerrard provided grew less frequent.

The young French striker cleverly danced past two challenges on the left of the box, but as substitute Lee Carsley dived in, perhaps recklessly, Ngog theatrically tumbled to the turf to con the referee. That said, Liverpool weren’t going to turn down the opportunity, no matter how wrong the decision, and if ever they needed their skipper back, it was for that moment when Gerrard brought them level.

Quite how Liverpool had got themselves into that position though, was a mystery, because they dominated much of the opening exchanges, and seemed to have been given a massive lift by a brilliant Ngog finish on 15 minutes, when he volleyed home only after visiting keeper Joe Hart had brilliantly saved from him and Kuyt.

But typically, the home side’s luck was out as Christian Benitez, Birmingham’s £8million record signing, chose this of all games to finally open his account for his new club, as he bundled home following yet more poor defending at set piece from Liverpool, as they allowed Roger Johnson and Scott Dann too much space to provide the chance from James’ McFadden’s high free kick.

Worse followed, just before the break, as the Anfield side were disrupted when Albert Riera, just back from serious injury, unfortunately tore a hamstring, and in the ensuing confusion, Cameron Jerome showed his strength to push past Javier Mascherano in the midfield, and then unfurl a wonderful, dipping curling 35 yard lob that left Pepe Reina stranded. At least Liverpool avoided the ignominy of defeat, and at least there was the silver lining of Gerrard’s return, but predictably it still came at a cost, with Yossi Benayoun also limping away with a hamstring tear, to leave a fog of uncertainty still swirling around Anfield.

Liverpool: Reina 6; Johnson 7, Skrtel 5, Agger 6, Insua 5; Mascherano 6, Lucas 5; Benayoun 6, Kuyt 7, Riera 5 (Gerrard 44, 7); Ngog 6.

Birmingham: Hart 7; Carr 7, Johnson 7, Dann 7, Ridgewell 6; , Larsson 6, Tainio 5 (Carsley 16, 6) , Bowyer 6, McFadden 6 (Vignal 67, 5); Benitez 6; Jerome 7.

Referee: Peter Walton 6

Hero: Cameron Jerome - scored the goal of his career to silence the Kop and give his side a remarkable lead.

Villain: The Liverpool defence must take collective responsibility for the goal which allowed Birmingham back into this game.

Match stat: Christian Benitez's opening goal for his new club was the first Birmingham have scored within the opening half hour of a game this season.