Latics defy lacklustre Reds

Rodallega strike earns Roberto Martinez's side the win

By James Riach   Last updated: 9th March 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Latics defy lacklustre Reds

Rodallega: Fires past Reina

Man of the match: James McCarthy did all the hard work in the middle of the park - an unsung hero who is rapidly improving.

Goal of the match: Dirk Kuyt will not want to see a replay of this after he gave the ball away in a terrible position, but credit to Emmerson Boyce who picked out Rodallega with an excellent cross.

Miss of the match: Chances were few and far between for the Reds, but Fernando Torres volleyed wide from close range in the second-half when he should have done better.

Moment of the match: Liverpool's frustrations were summed up when Torres ran almost the length of the pitch only to foul Boyce - the fifth Reds player to go into the book.

Talking point: How much damage has been done to Liverpool's top-four chances?

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Wigan picked up their first win in nine to beat Liverpool 1-0 and dent their hopes of a top-four Premier League finish.

The Reds were lacklustre throughout and did not test Latics goalkeeper Chris Kirkland at all at the DW Stadium, and they were punished by a strike from Hugo Rodallega in the first-half.

Dirk Kuyt gave the ball away in a terrible position near his own 18-yard box, and Emmerson Boyce delivered a pinpoint cross with the outside of his boot for Rodallega to poke home with 35 minutes gone.

It was richly deserved for Wigan, who played well on their re-laid pitch, and they were rarely troubled after the break.

Glen Johnson was brought on 10 minutes after the restart, and although the out-of-touch Fernando Torres volleyed wide from close range, Rafa Benitez's side never threatened a comeback.

It was Wigan's first Premier League win over Liverpool and only their second over one of the so-called 'big four' - the other coming at home to Chelsea earlier this season.

That ended a run of seven league matches without a victory and lifted them four points clear of the relegation zone.

And while it was only sixth-placed Liverpool's second defeat in 11 games, it could have done irreparable damage to their chances of finishing fourth as they have now played more games than all of their rivals.

Problems

Rafael Benitez's side's problems are clear to see as this was the sixth time in their last eight away league matches they have failed to score.

The closest they came in this game was when Torres hit the outside of the upright after Maxi Rodriguez's header from Steven Gerrard's corner dropped to him at the far post.

But Wigan quickly grew in confidence and Marcelo Moreno was only inches from connecting with a driven cross through the six-yard area by Charles N'Zogbia, who was causing left-back Emiliano Insua plenty of problems.

Rodallega curled over a 20-yard free-kick after being fouled by Lucas Leiva while Insua's difficulties against N'Zogbia continued as he was booked for bringing down his opponent in the centre-circle.

Gerrard could have opened the scoring in the 26th minute after good link play between Rodriguez, Kuyt and Yossi Benayoun but the England international's first shot was blocked by Paul Scharner and although he quickly recovered he could not hit the target with the follow-up.

Lucas was next to be booked for tripping Titus Bramble and Sotirios Kyrgiakos was also cautioned for cynically blocking off Scharner.

Liverpool were struggling to find any sort of rhythm and their alarming tendency to give the ball away proved expensive in the 35th minute.

Kuyt, deep on the left, rolled the ball aimlessly to Boyce who instantly fired a cross to the far post where Rodallega poked home.

It was the first time the Reds had conceded in the opening 45 minutes of a league match for 11 games.

Bramble was then booked for clattering into the back of Torres, who headed over Rodriguez's cross from six yards just before half-time.

Within 42 seconds of the second half kicking-off Mascherano had to be quick to block Rodallega's shot.

At the other end Torres, unusually for him, failed to hit the target from Rodriguez's cut-back.

Ten minutes into the half Johnson replaced Lucas, with Mascherano returning to his favoured central midfield.

Gift

Liverpool almost gifted Wigan a second as Jose Reina came out to claim a through-ball only for Carragher to knock it past him and then smashed his clearance into Moreno.

The ball looped towards the goal only for Kyrgiakos to get back to head over his own crossbar.

However, Liverpool were not getting any better and Torres' ambitious 25-yard volley summed things up when it went out for a throw close to the right corner flag.

Wigan should have had a second in the 73rd minute when Rodallega's pass put N'Zogbia through but his shot was partially stopped by Reina and Johnson scrambled the ball out at the far post under pressure from Scharner.

Moments later Torres' volley from Kuyt's header down rolled agonisingly wide of the post.

Liverpool's frustrations boiled over as first the Spain international was booked after chasing Boyce half the length of the pitch to bring him down and then Gerrard was cautioned for diving in on McCarthy, despite appearing to win the ball.

A sign of Liverpool's desperation could be seen in the five minutes of injury time when Kyrgiakos went to play up front.

It typified a night when the Reds' short-comings this season were laid bare by an industrious but by no means brilliant Wigan side.

Wigan AthleticTeam StatisticsLiverpool
1Goals0
11st Half Goals0
4Shots on Target0
8Shots off Target8
1Blocked Shots5
4Corners7
15Fouls14
0Offsides1
1Yellow Cards5
0Red Cards0
73.1Passing Success78.7
35Tackles44
82.9Tackles Success88.6
37Possession63
57Territorial Advantage43

Comments (40)

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Richard Burns (Liverpool fan) says...

Liverpool have serious issues that need addressing. Midfield is weak, Gerrard can't do everything¬]! the defence is dodgy and we need someone else up front. I don't think 4th is possible now, too inconsistant. Raffa thinks we're fine??

Posted 22:54 8th March 2010

Craig Johnson (Liverpool fan) says...

Surely thats us now out the top 4, Rafa's expression today showed no signs of concern or care for this club and it was shared with many of the players out there tonight! surely now there is no reason to keep Rafa any longer, this is a perfect time to bring in someone new and let them start to get us ready for next season, maybe the players will get a boost and who knows, maybe force the other teams to slip and give us some hope for 4th (however unlikely). credit to Wigan today because they played with pure heart and passion, but even then we should be beating these teams especially when our season depends on it! thanks for your time Rafa but surely you can see its not working anymore.

Posted 22:50 8th March 2010

Shawn Wood (Liverpool fan) says...

As a liverpool supporter, I can honestly say that I am in ahhh.. of how pathetic we played this evening. Not one player deserved to be on the pitch tonight for the Reds. As much as I want to believe, the boys in Red sure do make it hard sometimes. Can't see us playing European football next season and unfortunately probably losing a few good players because of it. Till the next game lads...

Posted 22:49 8th March 2010

Louise Hillen (Aston Villa fan) says...

Woeful performance by Liverpool tonight, apart from Aquilani (why doesn't Rafa start him? Baffling). Gerrard just looks like he doesn't want to be there. He has been like that for most of the season. As for future England captain, well, he doesn't possess the leadership qualities. The team seem to have lost all confidence in Rafa Benitez. Last season, they were title contenders, this season, they will be extremely fortunate to even finish 4th. Liverpool fans must be despairing with what is going wrong at the moment.

Posted 22:47 8th March 2010

Chris Roughley (Wigan Athletic fan) says...

Wigan played excelent, fast flowing football on our new pitch :).Macarthy was the star of the show and had composure to almost laugh off Gerard when he was badly chalenged by the england player. Crowd were excelent tonight. East stand blue white army ! chris

Posted 22:43 8th March 2010

Michael Quinlan (Liverpool fan) says...

This is just unacceptable... we are reaching new depths of ineptitude and down right awful management... There are far too many ordinary players in this team, and there is no cohesion, ability or awreness to our playing... Benitez should along with a number of our players hang their heads in shame... to not test Wigan is just awful, and our inability to score away from home is down right embarassing... It is only the liverpool fans who can hold their heads up following this shambles of a seaon, Benitez and our American owners really must think what is best for this great club, and that is the removal of all three of them... Sorry Benitez - your past achievements with us deserve to be heralded, but so too therefore does your awful handling of affairs since being given the power over the last 18 months, in particular your handling of the media, and the way you have made this great insitution seem so laughable to outsiders... Same old things in the papers tomorrow though no doubt, Kuyt, Carra, Benitez or some other saying that the next game is the most important and that we believe we can achieve fourth place - laughable and Mancini, Redknapp and O'Neill know it... Fouth place should never be considered any form of achievement/success regardless of what goes before us, look at Everton, now there is a team that have had to overcome some awful injuries this season, and yet no complaining by the players or manager - they just get on with it... Sad sad days for all us Liverpool fans, i can only hope we start getting things right, this season will haunt us for a long time... YNWA...

Posted 22:42 8th March 2010

Joe Johnson (Liverpool fan) says...

This was as bad as it gets. No spirit, no heart in that performance. The number of failed passes was incredible. The tactic is driven by fear. No Aquilani, no Babel. But one-speed Kuyt and Lucas are sure to make this average team of ball kickers. It's frustration all over the pitch. And there are simply no excuses left. Just facts! Wigan didn't play well. They were poor. But Liverpool managed to be even poorer.

Posted 22:42 8th March 2010

Daniel Donoghue says...

This game will prove to be the straw that broke the camel's back for oh so forever defensive minded Rafael Benetez.4th is now gift wrapped to Man City, and this summer Raff the Gaff should be sacked, handed his 20m, and a certain slightly attack minded Kenny Dalglish, currently looking after the youth, should be (re)promoted to Manage a hugely capable squad of players.We will then see the potential flourish.The players, I think, are loosing faith in Mr. Benitez, showed again with 5 yellow cards, which will incur another FA fine. ENOUGH is ENOUGH Rafael, the defender.

Posted 22:40 8th March 2010

Baz Elnino (Liverpool fan) says...

Finally i am 100% convinced that rafa no longer knows what he's doing..die hard liverpool fans need to understand that too much loyalty for a manager is not always good for the club.

Posted 22:39 8th March 2010

Cormac Grimley (Liverpool fan) says...

Liverpool r beyond a joke. this is by far the lowest point i have ever seen the team. they have played poorly for the whole season and are gettin beat by teams who are fightin to stay up. a change is needed as rafa has had time2 pull it around but in fact its been 1 step forward 2steps back in the league atm. Champions league, do we get that for 8th place.YNWA

Posted 22:39 8th March 2010

Roy Harris (Liverpool fan) says...

The whole of the Liverpool team and staff should be ashamed of the performance against Wigan tonight. The passing was abismal,the marking was non existant,their fitness was poor and Torres was left on his own with no support. At present this club is not good enough to win anything and we need another couple of fast forwards that can score goals. I have been going to Liverpool for 45years in the kop and I have to admit that the team brought me to tears to-night and I don't mind admitting it.

Posted 22:39 8th March 2010

Tony Brophy (Liverpool fan) says...

I wish these fans asking for supporters to get behind the team would wake up. I would if the football wasnt so painfully boring and tactical, this is why we are easy pickings for poor teams. I mean the DW stadium was not full tonight, and it is hard for Wigan to attract a fanbase coz of Rugby league, but they especially will not come to see uninspiring boring sideways keepball dross that Benitez teams play. We have Torres probably the best striker around and what is created for him, he looks so frustrated. Gerrard is playing like he has one eye on the world cup and the rest are really not good enough and they are Benitez players. We better get used to scrapping it out in mid table with mediocrity because if we dont "ATTACK" we will loose more than win. Time Time Time for a change. Kevin Keegan anyone??

Posted 22:39 8th March 2010

Frank Osei-bonsu (Liverpool fan) says...

I am a Liverpool supporter but would like to say how I am disappointed tonight with my team. The 1-0 defeat at Wigan means that We are almost out of the competition for the 4th spot. If Liverpool does not stop holding onto the ball for too long at the back, I am afraid it is always going to be like this. The reason why we are not getting anywhere this season is that, we do not play attacking football. With the player we have, it is just useless to be hanging onto the ball in our own half for ages. I don't know how we can score goals if we don't send the ball forward. It is the reason why all teams can compete with Liverpool because there is no threat from us. We have to change the way we play and start playing attacking football because we have good players who can to do that. Ball possession is only good if you use it to your advantage. Please, stop playing too m many passes in your own half because it does not hurt the opposition.

Posted 22:38 8th March 2010

Chris Ayub (Manchester United fan) says...

Not a shot on target....that says it all for Liverpool....

Posted 22:38 8th March 2010

Shane Curtis (Liverpool fan) says...

Shamefull. Players, Management and Owners need to take a really good look at themselves. Gutless each and everyone of them!!

Posted 22:37 8th March 2010

James Jarad (Arsenal fan) says...

There is all this talk that Liverpool can't sack Benitez cause they cant afford to do so, Well I think that If Liverpooll FC had £1 for every person who wanted Benitez sacked, then I think they would be able to afford it.

Posted 22:36 8th March 2010

Nigel Westland (Manchester United fan) says...

Looks like Liverpool have bottled it at the business end of the season. They are in real trouble if they don't take 4th place for champions league their finances without it will be under great pressure and they will have to sell the top players they have. Liverpool could be a disaster waiting to happen.

Posted 22:35 8th March 2010

Darragh Coyle (Liverpool fan) says...

This result and season is a disgrace to liverpool fc. Benitez and the yanks must go if liverpool are ever goin to play like they did in the 80,s. they will never win the title by having benitez as manager playing players like lucas and insua.

Posted 22:34 8th March 2010

Shane Hallinan (Leeds United fan) says...

i think james mccarthy was awesome tonight. he really gave gerard enough of it considering he is only 19 years old. great to see him declare for the republic. any one else think he did good.

Posted 22:34 8th March 2010

Dennis Ryan (Liverpool fan) says...

I think the liverpool players should give back there wages to the club this week as they did not turn up for work or at least give the 4000 thousand travvelling fans there ticket money back. If i under-preformed in my job like that I be on a warning if not sacked. Disgraceful from a supposed top for team will be lucky t o finish top six at this rate

Posted 22:33 8th March 2010
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