Liverpool's flying Pennant gets it off his chest as he blasts Blues for letting Bruce go

The former Birmingham boss not only visited him in jail but also once lent him his swanky apartment. But Pennant's words back up the evidence that is staring David Sullivan in the face — Wigan are almost guaranteed Premier League survival after looking dead and buried while Birmingham are in the drop zone with two games to go.

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Pennant said: "If they go to Fulham and get a result I am sure they will get out of it, but without a shadow of a doubt they have missed Steve Bruce.

"He got the club up and did well for Birmingham. Now he is doing it for Wigan because they have scrapped their way out of it.

"Birmingham miss him and it will prove costly because getting a new manager halfway through the season when you are in a tight spot is a massive upheaval."

Birmingham have squandered a lead on six occasions at home in the Premier League, with Saturday's setback being the most dramatic.

Manager Alex McLeish accused his team of naivety when they allowed Pennant to run 50 yards before Peter Crouch's sidefooted finish.

This dragged Liverpool back into a game that looked beyond them after Mikael Forssell and an exquisite Sebastian Larsson free-kick had put Birmingham two up.

Liverpool secured a point when Lucas swung over a cross from the right which Yossi Benayoun headed in via a big deflection off Radhi Jaidi's back with 14 minutes to go and Birmingham could not muster a reply.

The missed opportunity for McLeish's men will be all the morepainful as RafaBenitez made nine changes to the Liverpool side which drew 1-1 with Chelsea on Tuesday in the Champions League semi-final first leg.

Pennant was the only one who really staked a claim to be included in Wednesday's return at Stamford Bridge but was realistic about his prospects.

He said: "The manager has got wingers playing at the moment and that's my position but it's a massive ask for him to pick me for the Chelsea game because the team have been doing very well.

"We'll just have to wait and see on Wednesday but if I am on the bench then I will still probably enjoy it. I don't get fazed in these big games, I look forward to them."

While Liverpool bid to reach their second successive Champions League final, Birmingham must prepare for the most important match of their season at Fulham.

McLeish said: "I couldn't have asked for a better 60 minutes but I the lads are pretty mad with themselves for not holding on."