Roy Hodgson reserved special praise for Pepe Reina after the Spanish stopper earned Liverpool a point with a string of fine saves in the goalless draw at Birmingham City on Sunday.

The Reds No.25 pulled off world-class stops to deny Cameron Jerome and Craig Gardner, ensuring he played a major part in helping his side to a share of the spoils.

"I would have been disappointed had we lost this game, so I'm not that disappointed with the draw," Hodgson told his post-match press conference.

"Birmingham played extremely well in the first half and Pepe made two very good saves in particular. They were two extremely good saves.

"I thought we started the game well but then they really pressurised us and worked hard.

"They provoked mistakes and kept the ball coming back into our penalty area and our back four and the goalkeeper were hard pressed in that period.

"The longer the game went on, we looked more comfortable and started to create some chances of our own.

"We always knew this was going to be a very tough encounter, especially after the international break when we haven't seen the players for 10 days.

"But I'm more than satisfied with the way the team went about their business and the way we kept our shape and discipline.

"I think we can be satisfied with the fact we have left here unbeaten because we know Birmingham are capable of winning matches at St Andrews against all types of opposition."

Meanwhile, the manager responded to some suggestions in the Sunday press that claimed he was alleged to have said Liverpool couldn't win the title this season.

"I didn't say that because I don't set targets," stated Hodgson.

"My target is to prepare the team to do well in each game we play and then we'll see where that takes us.

"I don't set targets and I don't know where those quotes came from.

"Can this team win the league? I don't know. We'll take every game as it comes, work hard in every one and then we'll see where we are in May.

Click on the image for Reina's LFCCTV

"I find it amusing that people are discussing which team is going to win the league after four games."

The boss was also quizzed by journalists about the form of Fernando Torres after the Spanish star endured a frustrating afternoon in front of goal against Birmingham.

"Fernando is working hard for the team and as we saw right until the end of the game he's a constant thorn in the side of the defenders," Hodgson said.

"I think you should give Dann and Johnson a lot of credit for sticking so close to him and making life difficult for him.

"We know he lacks match fitness. He missed matches at the end of last season and missed matches during the World Cup.

"I'm not at all concerned about Fernando. He will get better as the season goes on."

The manager was questioned about Steven Gerrard's fitness as the skipper ended the game with a headband on after suffering a cut.

"Steven got a cut inside his inner ear," revealed Hodgson.

"It's not a major problem but of course these days with blood it sends everyone into panic and that's why he had to keep leaving the field, which was a bit of a nuisance. It's not a major issue."

Hodgson was also keen to pay tribute to his former striker Bobby Zamora who broke his leg during Fulham's 2-1 win over Wolves on Saturday. The injury is expected to keep the England international on the sidelines for four months and the Reds boss wished him a speedy recovery.

"I feel for Bobby and it's a cruel, cruel blow for a player who over the last two-and-a-half years has worked so hard to show everybody in the country what a good player he is," he added.

"He has fought through injury situations before. I remember when he injured his shoulder which was a similar problem to the one Dirk Kuyt has. He fought through that quicker than everyone expected.

"He also came back from an achilles injury towards the end of last season to try and help us do well in the Europa League and has started this season so well.

"We would like to wish him all the best and I think that goes for everyone in the country. I hope he will come back from this as quickly as possible and I'm sure he will."