Benitez rotation policy under fire as Reds stumble

Rafa Benitez defended his decision to leave club record signing Fernando Torres on the bench after a goalless draw that saw his Liverpool side fall further behind pacesetters Arsenal.

Liverpool were booed off the pitch by their own supporters on Saturday after a desperately poor 0-0 draw with newly-promoted Birmingham raised fresh doubts as to whether Benitez can deliver the title to Anfield.

Having won three of their first four league games to go top of the Premiership, Liverpool have now failed to win - or score - in their last two domestic matches.

Benitez faced fresh questions about his controversial rotation policy as Spanish striker Torres was kept on the bench for an hour before being introduced to the action.

The Liverpool manager instead opted to use Dirk Kuyt and Andriy Voronin before sending on Torres who went close to sealing the points in the closing stages with a spectacular overhead kick.

Benitez said: "I have four strikers and I need to use two of them. We knew Birmingham would play deep and I took the decision to play Voronin and Kuyt.

"Of course it's frustrating that we haven't won, but Birmingham worked hard and defended well."

Birmingham boss Steve Bruce produced a diplomatic response when asked whether he would have kept Torres on the bench if he was in possession of a striker of his repute.

The former Manchester United defender said: "Who am I to argue with Rafa Benitez after all that he has achieved?"

Benitez admitted his side ran out of ideas towards the end of a dreadful game in which Jermaine Pennant damaged his hamstring against his former club.

According to Benitez, the injury is not serious although Pennant is unlikely to be risked on Tuesday when Liverpool face Reading away in the third round of the Carling Cup.

Benitez added: "We didn't have space or any clear ideas at the end. In this kind of game you must win the second ball.

"We had some chances, but we couldn't score. Am I worried about us not scoring? Yes. But we could have scored very early on and then it would have been different.

"But you have to take your chances. I'm frustrated, but we must keep going."

Birmingham are fast becoming Liverpool's bogey team after emerging undefeated for the third successive time at Anfield.

Bruce was delighted with the way his side shut out the opposition although their joy was tainted by the news that Borja Oubina is likely to be out for the rest of the season after rupturing cruciate ligaments.

The Birmingham manager said: "I've always loved coming to Anfield. It's the place to be.

"No disrespect to the Championship, but we were playing at places like Colchester this time last season and we missed coming to places steeped in history.

"Liverpool did give us our biggest hiding 18 months ago, but I think the only serious save Maik Taylor had to make this time was from Andriy Voronin.

"If we had had a bit more cutting edge up front then we might just have nicked something.

"My players stuck to the game plan and executed it well."