Rafa fury as Latics sink Pool
Rafael Benitez’s side are just one point adrift of the top four but, following a ninth Premier League defeat of the season, the teams around them now have games in hand as well as points in the bag.
Asked if he thought it was a fair result, Benitez said: “I think so. I think we didn’t play well, especially in the first half. We didn’t show attitude.”
Benitez admitted his side gave the ball away too often. “That is very clear, especially in the first half,” he added.
“We’re not happy. We have to show more character to be in top four.”
Paul Scharner claimed Wigan’s win will be a huge boost. “It’s a very important three points. “It’s massive, I think confidence will increase now.”
Having beaten Chelsea 3-1 here earlier this season, Wigan’s 4-2-3-1 system claimed their second Premier League win of the calendar year.
On an evening dominated by Liverpool’s inability to keep hold of the ball, the only goal came when Dirk Kuyt gave the ball away close to his own area, allowing Emmerson Boyce to play a delicious pass to Hugo Rodallega to score from close range.
Fernando Torres had already hit the post but after they fell behind, there was all too little from the Reds, who have now failed to score in six of their last eight away league matches.
This fixture demonstrates the nature of this season’s Premier League with Liverpool still having the chance of reaching the top four despite their desperate season and the teams around Wigan remaining in reach in spite of their own horrible form.
For Roberto Martinez’s side, victory shifts them almost in to mid-table and they can look forward to another crucial relegation tussle at Bolton at the weekend.
It had looked so different for the visitors at the start. Resurgent, with fourth spot in their sights, Liverpool started like the team they feel they should be, with a flourish of fine passing on the new turf.
Javier Mascherano was once again asked to fill in at right back although Glen Johnson was at least back on the bench but the Argentina captain was soon getting forward to good effect.
His cross was only half cleared by Gary Caldwell and Steven Gerrard thumped a shot over from just outside the area and as the visitors continued their fine start, Fernando Torres’ volley flew wide off the post from Yossi Benayoun’s deep cross.
But then Wigan got themselves on top thanks to Charles N’Zogbia pulling Emiliano Insua all over the place and the visitors seeming to be allergic at holding on to possession.
James McCarthy, targeted by Liverpool three years ago and still fresh from his Ireland debut last week, was rampaging all over the midfield and his powerful run was only halted by a fine block from Jamie Carragher.
N’Zogbia fired two crosses across the Liverpool six-yard line that were just begging for a final touch before Liverpool managed a decent move of their own, involving Maxi Rodriguez, Dirk Kuyt and Yossi Benayoun before Gerrard failed to hit the target.
But Liverpool were giving the ball away for fun and Wigan made no mistake when Kuyt surrendered possession on the edge of his own area.
He passed straight to Boyce, who lifted the ball over with the outside of his right foot to allow Rodallega to fire Wigan in front.
Torres failed to take another opportunity just before the interval, when he was picked out by a whipped Maxi cross only to glance over.
After the restart, Pepe Reina gratefully grabbed a dangerous N’Zogbia cross and Torres missed with a shot from another cross from Rodriguez.
Liverpool had a lucky escape when Carragher’s attempted clearance kicked up off Marcelo Moreno and almost flew in under Chris Kirkland’s crossbar only for Sotirios Kyrgiakos to pull off a desperate clearance.
By then Liverpool had Johnson on, and later Alberto Aquilani and Ryan Babel but as has so often been the case this season, the quality was simply not there.
Just nine games remain and time is running out for Liverpool to make good on Benitez’s vow that they would finish “at least” fourth.
Subs for Wigan: Moses for Moreno 67, Thomas for Diame 83, Scotland for Rodallega
Subs for Liverpool: Johnson for Lucas 55, Aquilani for Benayoun 70, Babel for Kuyt 83.
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