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From the Desk

espnstar.com takes a look at three key battles which could decide the game when Liverpool take on Birmingham.

Rafael Benitez vs Alex McLeish

Rafael Benitez is a man under pressure - and this weekend's clash with Birmingham could be his last shot at redemption.

Recent criticism has focused on his team selection, formation and a seeming inability to motivate his players, and he will be keen to put an end to the sniping with a victory over Birmingham.

With Gerrard unlikely to feature and Torres not 100% fit it will be more important than ever that Rafa gets his system right - and for this match that means being positive and going for the jugular.

If he can rid himself of his safety first mentality and instill confidence in his players then Liverpool should have enough quality to run out comfortable winners.

Look for Rafa flooding the midfield by getting his fullbacks to push on - and as a result freeing up the likes of Benayoun and Babel to run at the Birmingham defence with pace. Maybe taking a gamble on the inclusion of Aquilani could be the master-stroke he is looking for.

Alex McLeish cemented his reputation as a top manager when in charge of Glasgow Rangers, and since joining Birmingham City has presided over both a relegation and promotion.

A typical wily Scot he will have done his homework on Liverpool and in particular their tendency to concede sloppy goals.

He will set his side up to defend first-and-foremost - playing a bank of five in midfield ahead of a conventional back four. He will then look to hit Liverpool on the counter-attack and to cause problems at set-pieces.

McLeish knows that if he can keep the Reds at bay for the first half hour then the crowd could turn on the home team and that could give his players the confidence the spoil the Anfield party.

Yossi Benayoun vs Lee Bowyer

Undoubtedly one of Liverpool's form players this year Yossi Benayoun could be the creative spark that Liverpool need to get back to winning ways.

Benayoun has fantastic balance, quick feet and a nice burst of pace that allows him to seemingly drift past players as if they were standing still.

He will look to receive the ball in the opposition third of the field and then use his vision to play others in on goal or have a pop himself.

If he can make space for himself and get enough of the ball then he could easily pick the Birmingham defence apart.

Lee Bowyer is one of the Premier League's most combative players and you can be assured that once again he will be willing to spill blood for the cause.

His role will be to get stuck in, knock Liverpool's players off their stride and disrupt the play in a crowded midfield.

With a good engine and an eye for goal Bowyer will also try to break forward and support his forwards whenever Birmingham go on the attack.

A disciplined player he will sit in front of his back four to protect them and will look to pick up the dangerous Benayoun.

He will try to impose his physical presence on the slightly built Benayoun - and if successful will have nullified one of Liverpool's most attacking threats.

Jamie Carragher vs Chucho Benitez

Jamie Carragher may not be having the best of seasons so far but nobody can doubt his determination or commitment to the cause.

Liverpool fans adore him and Fabio Capello would love him to make himself available for England again, and who can argue when you see him make another vital tackle, throw himself into a block or command a penalty area under siege.

A natural all-rounder, he reads the game well, is strong in the air and provides organisation for an at-times fragile Liverpool defence.

He will want to prevent the Birmingham attackers from getting in behind him as he is not the fastest centre-back in the world, so watch out for him dropping a bit deeper and using his experience and positioning to keep the play in front of him.

Chucho Benitez could be the joker in the pack for Birmingham - although small in stature he has an excellent turn of pace and bags of skill and if he can get some quality service he could prove a handful.

He won't have much support up front so look for him running the channels and doing his best to hold up play for his midfield support to arrive.

He will also be trying to orchestrate a one-on-one situation with Carragher where he will have the advantage of pace - and to this effect he may drift wide to receive the ball prior to cutting inside and driving at the Liverpool man.

Don't expect him to see much of the ball as Birmingham will play very deep - but if they manage to break in numbers he could be the man to provide a fairytale finish.