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Liverpool 3-2 Wigan Athletic

Liverpool Wigan Athletic

by . (U13466329) 12 October 2008

THIS IS THE THREAD to discuss LIVERPOOL V WIGAN ATHLETIC in the Barclays Premier League.

Team News:
Liverpool: Strikers Fernando Torres and Ryan Babel miss out for Liverpool after picking up injuries playing for Spain and the Netherlands respectively in midweek.

Dirk Kuyt could partner Robbie Keane up front and Yossi Benayoun may figure.

Liverpool (from):Reina, Arbeloa, Carragher, Hyypia, Agger, Aurelio, Dossena, Benayoun, Gerrard, Alonso, Mascherano, Riera, Kuyt, Keane, Ngog, Pennant, Lucas, Cavalieri.

Wigan Athletic: Wigan duo Emile Heskey and Amr Zaki also suffered knocks on international duty and are major doubts.

Maynor Figueroa and Wilson Palacios arrived back from Honduras on Friday while Jason Koumas and Paul Scharner face fitness tests.

Wigan (from):Kirkland, Melchiot, Scharner, Bramble, Figueroa, Valencia, Cattermole, Palacios, Kapo, Heskey, Zaki, Boyce, Brown, Camara, De Ridder, Kilbane, Koumas, Kupisz, Taylor, Pollitt, Kingson.

Date

Venue

Kick-off

Where to watch it

Star men

(Liverpool)

(Wigan Athletic)

Preview
The last time Liverpool and Wigan met was on January 2 2008 at Anfield, when a Titus Bramble 80th minute strike earned Wigan a 1-1 draw.

This was the first ever time that Wigan had won a point of the so called "big four".

"Heskey, how many times have we seen players score against their former clubs? It's almost a given. He's hit a bit of form too"RedPrivateer

In the other fixture of last season saw Liverpool come out 1-0 winners at the JJB Stadium, curtosy of a Yossi Benayoun 76th minute winner on September 29th 2007.

A Liverpool win will see a fifth consecutive win in all competitions, which will extend their unbeaten Premier League run to 15 games.

Liverpool start on the same points as top of the pile Chelsea, but could possible be three points behind by the time the match starts at Anfield.

Wigan have never beaten any of the 'Big Four' (Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United), but have draw three out of their last five against the quartet.

This season is Liverpool's 94th consecutive top-flight campaign, to Wigan's fourth.

Liverpool had a 100% league record against the Latics (five wins from five and not conceding a single goal), that was until last seasons 1-1 Anfield draw thanks to a last ten minute goal from Latics defender Titus Bramble.

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez:
"It's important to think about the next three points.

"These games after the international break are always very dangerous and everybody knows we have to win.

"We must concentrate and take it one game at a time because if you talk about the other games in the future then you will lose your concentration."

Wigan boss Steve Bruce:
"We have proved that we can match anyone on our day and we will go there on Saturday full of confidence.

"The game at Anfield last year was a real benchmark, when we showed that as a team we can compete with the very best.

"We need to aim high. Last season was a great result but we have to believe that we can match that again, or even go one better. That has to be the aim."

Chris Kirkland returns to his former Anfield faithful on Saturday.

Match Stats:
Top Goalscorers
Liverpool: Torres 5, Gerrard 1, Kuyt 1.

Wigan: Zaki 5, Valencia 2, Heskey 1.

Form (all competitions)
Liverpool: WWWWDW

Wigan: LWWDDW
Most recent result on the left.

	P	W	D	L	F	A	GD	Points
2. Liverpool	7	5	2	0	10	4	6	17
13. Wigan	7	2	2	3	9	6	3	8

The last five
Liverpool 1-1 Wigan
Wigan 0-1 Liverpool
Liverpool 2-0 Wigan
Wigan 0-4 Liverpool
Wigan 0-1 Liverpool

Biggest threat
Liverpool: Robbie Keane will cause a threat to the Wigan back line, and could prove pivotal in tomorrow's final whistle outcome. Usual Reds suspects i.e. Steven Gerrard and Xabi Alonso's long-range efforts will also be a danger to Chris Kirkland's goal.

Wigan: With both of Wigan's "star strikers" missing, it is hard to see where their biggest threat will come from Antonio Valencia's long-range shots.

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comment by MattA1991 (U10581084)

posted Oct 20, 2008

I was on my bike test on saturday but from the highlights on motd, it was a case of liverpool being the stronger side and wigan doing the whole underdog superman thing.

the first goal was the most stupid misake ever by liverpool and good reactions from zaki, and the second was an amazing goal from him, even if the cross was lucky to come.

but the only reason liverpool werent already 4-0 up is chris kirkland, brilliant save against kuyt, and he had a very good game

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comment by cashforhonours (U9109957)

posted Oct 20, 2008

Yermum's Athletic
You make an excellent point. It is a common mistake made by football pundits and the like. So called underdogs are perceived to have been unlucky just because they have played a decent game. The fact is that Liverpooll were miles better than Wigan after the first 20 minutes.
As for the sending off changing the shape of the game. Liverpool were well on top at that stage with Wigan defending in numbers. I fail to see the diference in having 9 or 10 men behind the ball, it is still very difficult to create chances yet Liverpool managed to do so on several occassions.

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comment by boz0413 (U6815901)

posted Oct 20, 2008

Prepare yourself for a hiding next week.
-----------------------------

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comment by cglover51 (U12769392)

posted Oct 20, 2008

I don't believe that anyone in their right minds can say that Liverpool have been 'lucky' this season. Since when have comebacks been lucky? They show the strength of the team and the willingness to win. I am especially confused at how people can say that we were lucky against Manchester United? We were missing Gerrard and Torres and went 1-0 down in the 3rd minute but still came back to win. I suppose people who subscribe to the argument that we are lucky will claim that Istanbul was down to 'luck'. Hmmm. Liverpool may not be winning 4-0 every game but analyse who we've played thus far in the League: Sunderland and Boro are much improved, Villa are hardly a push over, Manchester United - the champions, Stoke were resilient and lucky, Everton - decent side, Man City and Wigan are also hardly pushovers. Liverpool should have won easily yesterday. Zaki scored an amazing goal and also got very lucky for his first. hmm - another team getting lucky against us sounds more appropriate than us being lucky for a player being sent off for two stupid tackles and coming from 2-1 down to win 3-2.

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comment by linesoftorresvedras (U12742281)

posted Oct 20, 2008

I looked at the texts on Teletext last Saturday, fully expecting to see "lucky Liverpool" messages and wasn't disappointed. Why are they lucky because they play for the full 90 mins and some of their opponents haven't? They have now won five matches this season from losing positions - that isn't purely down to luck.

I wonder what all those who wanted Rafa to sell Kuyt are thinking now - three goals in two league games after not having scored in the league for 11 months.

I have also read critical comments about Dossena - I don't know about him yet. He reminds be a bit of Viv Anderson - average defender but not bad going forward. He linked up well with Riera for one of the goals on Saturday too.

Riera is looking like a good buy and gives Liverpool width on the left which they didn't have before and he also scored a well taken goal. Zaki is looking like the find of the season up to now (his goal was definitely the goal of the match) but, unfortunately for Wigan, if he continues in this form they will face much competition for his signature come the end of the season.

As for Chelsea this weekend, with Torres unavailable, I wouldn't like to predict the result. They might spring a surprise but I'd take a point, three would be a bonus. The next few league games include Portsmouth at home (should win that) and Spurs away (ditto). I fear for Everton against Man United though - they are leaking goals and Rooney, Berbatov and Ronaldo will be licking their lips.

The Madrid game will be interesting. Given Liverpool's form in Europe, I would back them to win both of these, even without Torres, and that would, in all probability, allow them to qualify as group winners.

Good luck th all the British teams this week.

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comment by Simliverpool (U4443272)

posted Oct 20, 2008

I think Steve Bruce was feeling devasted after thinking he would win, at worst draw. The first yellow card was a bit harsh. However, the tackle on Alonso looked dangerous. He was intent on winning the ball but as soon as you leave the ground with both feet its always going to get you in trouble. Skrtel. Yes should of been booked. Dossena. Yes should of been booked. But a definate straight red card should of been given for Valencia.

Cracking game. Well done to Wigan, really pushed us.

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comment by rbk_tiv (U12496864)

posted Oct 20, 2008

hi bolton fan ere : Zaki has been on fire this season well done wigan fantastic if you sign him.

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comment by xabi-main-man (U13341388)

posted Oct 20, 2008

The only thing harsh about the 1st booking was that it was harsh on LFC that he was the only one booked. The whole wall should have been booked!!!

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comment by Im_partial (U5448245)

posted Oct 21, 2008

Yet again, a Liverpool match thread turns into a "Chelsea and United are better" discussion. Who asked you?