Rafael Benitez believes that a lack of concentration lead to Birmingham’s goal at a corner thus destroying Liverpool’s unbeaten home records. While Steve Bruce admitted that we should have has a penalty. Something else that was evidently clear was that Liverpool had nobody willing to put the chances away.

For fans hoping that Liverpool could soldier on for the next eight or so weeks and remain in touching distance with the Arsenal’s and Chelsea’s of this world by using a mix of makeshift strikers and unproven youngsters were fed a strong slice of reality with the defeat to Birmingham yesterday.

If we had read between the lines of an increasingly improving Liverpool fresh from a triumphant European performance – it should have been obvious that it was in the script for a stuttering Birmingham side to gain its first away victory at a previously impregnable Anfield.

Annoyingly, some fans have described yesterday’s performance as terrible. It wasn’t of course. But it was certainly bereft of that ‘clinical’ goal getting attitude from a currently impotent Liverpool forward line. Liverpool at times are still relying to much on its midfield to plunder the goals. Without Cisse, Baros and lady luck, against a misfiring Birmingham it proved too much to ask of the red men to find a single goal.

Make no mistake, Liverpool are in the grip of a real striker crisis. Although we are blessed with the talents of top scorer Milan Baros (although he still continues to keep his head down too often) the supporting cast for the young Czech dynamo is always going to be a makes shift measure at best.

It’s going too be like that until the transfer window re-opens.

Bentitez’ options for Baros’ partner include Luis Garcia, Harry Kewell, Florent Sinama-Pongolle and Neil Mellor. Another possibility is Antonio Nunez, however once he is ready to step into the first team, (within weeks) Rafa will surely want to deploy him in his favoured right midfield role while Steve Finnan is moved back to his more natural position of right back. (no offence to Josemi but the lad is beginning to worry me. Would probably be beneficial for him to be taken out of the first team for a while.)

Lets take a look at each of them in turn, starting with the product of Liverpool’s youth academy, Neil Mellor.

The Sheffield-born striker has seen his first team opportunities limited, and all though the player is undoubtedly prolific for the reserves there is a growing concern that Mellor can’t translate these goal-scoring feats at a higher level - a level that Liverpool need from him.

It’s fair to point out that Mellor, just gone 22, hasn’t really had any kind of real chance to prove himself in the senior team. He was shipped off to West Ham last season which for one reason or another didn’t work out. Was it because he wasn’t good enough?

We’ll have to wait and see if he is made of the right stuff to take the opportunity. The next three months will likely define the ultimate outcome of the youngsters Liverpool future.

Harry Kewell often looks like he’s holding back on effort and we’ve yet to see the Kewell who was the main focus of a vibrant attacking Leeds United side of a mere three years ago. The Australian is at the age where he really should be at the peak of his game.

Although he has a good eye for goal his seemingly lacklustre approach in games means it is unlikely he could be trusted up front and shoulder the goal-scoring burden with Baros. However, if he pulled his finger out, considering his considerable skill, Kewell could quite easily build a very effective foil in tandem with Baros. The question is, how much does he want it?

Lucs Garcia, the diminutive Spaniard is a midfielder by trade, most at home operating in the ‘hole’ behind two strikers or just off a solitary single striker. It would seem Garcia is one who could really form the most consistent and prolific strike partnership with Milan Baros. Garcia’s midfield position will look to be under increasing pressure as Steven Gerrard returns and looks to strike up a partnership with Xabi Alonso.

Garcia will certainly have to increase his goal threat and learn to take the bruising attention of defenders. Will Garcia become something like Kenny Dalglish?

So many questions.

The 20-year-old Florent Sinama-Pongolle has talent in abundance and a chance to stake a claim as one of Liverpool’s first choice striker could see the Frenchman fulfil his potential and begin to score goals on a more regular basis. A Baros-Pongolle forward line could be formidable if they were able to gel.

But, as ever, it’s all ‘if’s’ and ‘buts’, with Benitez more likely to have to swap and change over the next two months, readjusting his striking options for each new game, and each competition. Benitez said after the Birmingham game: “All we can do at this moment is work with the players we have and prepare the team as best we possibly can for every game. I'm not thinking about the transfer window. I'm just thinking about the players we have now and about working hard.”

Yet really, deep down the boss must have half an eye on who he will bring in as the winter takes hold. Liverpool will still be without Cisse and Owen still hasn’t been replaced, because of this, no matter how well Liverpool’s remaining attacking players do in the next eight weeks, Rafa will still need a new striker.

Although reports that Liverpool are some £20m in the red after Houllier’s pay-off and the purchase of Cisse, Liverpool have maintained there is still money available in the Anfield war chest for the manager to splash out on a new striker.

In January, Benitez will have to bolster his forward line. For around £5.5-7m, and at the ideal age of 28, the smart money is on Real Madrid’s Fernando Morientez.