Birmingham City players hailed Liverpool goalkeeper Jose Reina after the Spanish international pulled off a string of saves to earn a point for the Reds in a 0-0 draw here Sunday.
Reina's heroics proved decisive at St Andrews as the Blues carved out a string of openings only to see the Liverpool shot-stopper rise to the challenge with a commanding display between the sticks.
"The goalkeeper was outstanding," Birmingham midfielder Barry Ferguson told Sky Sports. "He made three or four great saves. I think we deserved to win the game, but the goalkeeper was outstanding."
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Cameron Jerome was left shaking his head after being denied by a Reina save from what looked like a nailed on goal.
"Pepe is one of the best keepers in the world and it showed today," he said. "He made three or four brilliant saves, and barring that we walk away with the three points. It's one of those things and you take it on the chin."
Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson had to be content with a draw after seeing his side outplayed for long periods.
"It was a good performance from Birmingham and I'm not too disappointed with our performance either," Hodgson said.
"It's early days for me and there's a lot of new players coming into the team trying to come to terms with what is being asked of them."
"My expectations were not that high anyway. It would have been disappointing to lose but I'm not that disappointed to draw."
