Birmingham City are scheduled to host Liverpool at their traditional venue of St Andrews in the Premier League, in an afternoon kick-off, on Sunday.
In their debut season, last year, Birmingham did brilliantly, finishing at 9th on the points table. Ordinarily, there would be anticipation of the second season syndrome kicking in. But the Blues' early form has belied any such fear.
Having recorded identical 2-2 draws against Sunderland and Bolton, and a 2-1 win over Blackburn have ensured that there has not been any sign of that happening, so far, in three games played.
Stuart Parnaby's hamstring injury worry is likely to prompt team manager Alex McLeish to subject the right back to a late test. Sebastian Larsson who hurt his knee in the Bolton game is certain to miss out.
The Blues have an excellent record at home. They have not lost a match at St Andrews' in their last 16 games here. Against Liverpool, head to head, in 49 home games, Birmingham have won 21 and lost 15, with the remaining 13 ending without result.
The last time Liverpool beat Birmingham here was in 2006, in the FA Cup, when they delivered a 7-0 walloping. That said, the last Premier League loss at home for Birmingham came still farther back, in 2004.
Liverpool haven't had a dream start to their campaign. Once giants of English football, Liverpool's 1-1 draw at home against Arsenal was far from convincing. They went a step or three worse losing to Man City, in the Eastlands, before managing to salvage some pride in a home win of 1-0 against West Brom.
In fact, the game against the Baggies was hard won, with the Hawthorns side the more proactive on the pitch, on the day.
Dirk Kuyt's shoulder and N'gog's Hamstring are likely to keep them out of Liverpool's starting eleven, against the Blues. Joe Cole will also be missing, with this game the last of the three match suspension awarded with the first ever red card of his career.
Left-back Paul Konchesky, a deadline day import from Fulham, and midfielder Paul Meireles, are both likely to begin their campaigns with the Reds.
Gerrard has a penchant for scoring against the Blues, with six goals to show for nine appearances against them.
Birmingham's likely starting eleven could comprise: Foster, Johnson, Ridgewell, Carr, Dann, Gardner, Bowyer, Larsson, Fergusson, Jerome, McFadden
Liverpool's likely starting eleven should include: Reina, Skrtel, Johnson, Konchesky, Carragher, Meireles, Poulsen, Gerrard, Maxi, Torres, Jovanovic.
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