Liverpool shot down by The Rifle

Birmingham 2 Liverpool 0

Liverpool’s hopes of fighting their way back into the race for a Champions League spot were dealt a massive blow as goals from Walter Pandiani and Julian Gray sealed victory for Steve Bruce’s side.

The door had been left ajar for the Reds after Everton’s lunchtime defeat by Chelsea and a win at St Andrews would have cut the gap to their Merseyside rivals to two points.

But Liverpool never looked capable of registering a third successive Barclays Premiership victory once Pandiani, nicknamed "The Rifle" because of his ferocious shooting, had broken the deadlock from the penalty spot.

Seconds before the half-time break Julian Gray stretched longest at the back post to score his first goal for City - a 2-0 lead would not relinquish.