Liverpool saved by controversial Gerrard penalty

By Martyn Herman

LONDON (Reuters) - Steven Gerrard saved Liverpool from another damaging Premier League defeat on Monday when his controversial penalty earned a 2-2 home draw with Birmingham City.

Substitute Gerrard, who has been nursing a groin injury, came on late in the first half and equalised with 19 minutes remaining after Lee Carsley was harshly adjudged to have brought down David Ngog, scorer of the opening goal.

"It's a joke. I know for a fact I didn't touch him," Carsley told ESPN. "I think when the referee (Peter Walton) sees it, he'll be really disappointed."

Television replays appeared to show Carsley, who was booked for protesting, made no contact with Ngog.

Liverpool looked comfortable after Ngog's well-struck early volley but things started going wrong after 26 minutes when Christian Benitez levelled for Birmingham.

SWERVING EFFORT

Worse was to follow for the home team seconds before halftime when Cameron Jerome unleashed a swerving effort past keeper Pepe Reina from 30 metres.

Seventh-placed Liverpool, without the injured Fernando Torres, mounted constant pressure after the break but had to be content with their first draw of the season which leaves them 11 points behind leaders Chelsea.