Reina blunder costs Liverpool

A PEPE REINA error early in the second-half went a long way to costing Liverpool the opportunity to move up as high as fifth in the Premier League table.

Roy Hodgson’s side dominated the opening exchanges of this contest at the DW Stadium, and should have had more to show for their endeavours than Fernando Torres’ seventh-minute strike.

Steven Gerrard was in the mood to wreak havoc, and had an early drive tipped over by Ali Al Habsi before playing in Torres with a scrumptious through ball from inside his own half.

But this was definitely a tale of two Spaniards.

Reina should have gathered Ronnie Stam’s low right-wing cross, but could only parry it out towards the penalty spot where Hugo Rodallega was ready to fire the ball home in the 52nd minute.

From then on, Wigan looked more likely to win it than Liverpool did. The visiting supporters so buoyant in the first 45 minutes were now quiet.

Torres opened the scoring with his fourth goal in as many matches when he stole a march on Wigan defender Gary Caldwell after latching onto Gerrard’s inch perfect ball.

The goal was never in doubt, with him firing across Ali Al Habsi and into his bottom right hand corner to the delight of the visiting support.

Wigan’s first sight of goal came in the 28th minute when Caldwell’s weak header from a corner was easily gathered by Reina. By this time, the hosts were starting to find their feet.

Still Liverpool looked reasonably comfortable through to the break, but looked anything but after it.

Both sides wasted good opportunities down the right early in the second period. However, when Stam was given the opportunity to cross, he made it count. Yes, he was helped out by Reina’s failure to gather the ball — but it was delivered into that corridor of uncertainty that defenders hate.

And quite why Rodallega was left unmarked to fire into Reina’s left-hand corner is a question that Hodgson will be asking.

Gerrard broke through shortly afterwards, firing against the underside of the Wigan bar before being crowded out when cutting into the penalty area from the right hand side moments later.

In the end a point was just about a fair result, even though it may not suit either side that much.

WIGAN: (4-2-3-1): Al Habsi 6; Stam 7, Alcaraz 6, G Caldwell 6, Figueroa 7; Thomas 6, Diame 5; Cleverley 7, Gomez 6 (Moses, 68, 6) N’Zogbia 5; Rodallega 6 (Di Santo, 86, 6)

LIVERPOOL (4-1-3-2): Reina 6; Kelly 6, Carragher 8, Skrtel 7, Konchesky 6; Lucas 5; Meireles 6 (Shelvey, HT, 6), Gerrard 8, Rodriguez 6 (Eccleston, 80, 5); Torres 8, Kuyt 7 (Poulsen, 73, 5).

Referee: Peter Walton.