Nov 7, 2009 - 8:38 AM
0 shoutsDANIEL ROSE STATS European Football Writer=
LONDON (SE) - Alex McLeish is convinced his Birmingham side can inflict more misery on troubled Liverpool when the teams clash at Anfield on Monday.
Liverpool are enduring one of the worst slumps in their history with only one win in their last eight league and cup matches.
Angry fans are calling for the head of manager Rafa Benitez but McLeish will offer sympathy but no respite for Liverpool who could be without injured stars Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard.
McLeish said: "It's not so much sympathy I have for Rafa. It's more empathy because I had a tough time in my last season at Rangers.
"If you wear the badge of Liverpool or Rangers you are supposed to win every game every single week.
"I had a stack of injuries like he has now but fans are not interested in that as an excuse. You have to somehow put out a team that keeps winning. I cannot imagine Rafa is under any more pressure than I was.
"We were outstanding against Manchester City last week and should have won and I want to see us carry that on that at Liverpool.
"Liverpool are going through a tough spell and we have to be ruthless about it and take advantage of their situation, if at all possible."
Birmingham will be without experienced Scottish international Barry Ferguson who is sitting out a one-match ban for being sent off against Manchester City.
Benitez admits that his team's hopes of a morale-booster depend on Torres and Gerrard being able to shrug off injuries. Torres is the more likely to start.
Liverpool have Fabio Aurelio, Albert Reina and Martin Skrtel back in training and they should be available to face Birmingham.
But England right back Glen Johnson and Martin Kelly are more doubtful but it is the big two on whom Liverpool depend with Benitez monitoring their progress daily.
Benitez said: "Torres has been to Spain to see specialist about his hernia problem and he is improving.
"Torres is the type of player who can play with pain. He has a great mentality and wants to play all the time. He will train and work with the other players.
"Gerrard is working with the physios and is doing some light training but there is a big difference between being fit and being available for selection.
"At this stage I would think Torres will be in the team but I am not so sure about Gerrard."
Liverpool have asked the Spanish FA not to consider picking Torres to face Argentina next week, believing the international break and 15 days without a game would benefit the striker.
Benitez added: "Birmingham are much improved and they will be believe we are vulnerable. But we have a strong squad and do not rely on just two players. This is a match we must win."
