Al Habsi the hero as Latics deny Reds
The Liverpool forward was unable to inspire his side to victory at the end of a turbulent 24 hours for the Uruguayan, whose agent confirmed during the game that he will appeal against his eight-match ban and a £40,000 fine after being found guilty of racially abusing Manchester United’s Patrice Evra at Anfield in October.
On the subject of penalties, it was the one saved by Al Habsi from Charlie Adam six minutes into the second half that proved pivotal in this open, engaging encounter, the keeper guessing correctly to block the Scot’s well-struck spot kick with a firm right hand as he dived to his left.
Liverpool have missed four of the five penalties they have earned this season, Kenny Dalglish admitted: “It was the difference between one and three points. It was a hard-fought point for us, it was a difficult game, but we’ll just keep trying to create the chances like we have been. We’re not unhappy with the performance.”
Wigan remain in the bottom three, but after holding Chelsea and the Merseyside club in their last two games, at present they are a side on the up. “It’s not just the result but also the performance,” Roberto Martinez, the manager insisted after seeing his side stretch an impressive run that has seen them beaten just once in the last six games. “I’m extremely happy for the players, and it was another step forward for us against an outstanding side.
“We kept Liverpool quiet, and when we needed our keeper he was there for us, as he has been all season.”
And how. Al Habsi produced half a dozen stunning saves to earn a share of the spoils, rounding off a satisfying night for the busy custodian, who left the DW Stadium with a prized souvenir, the t-shirt worn for the warm-up by Suarez, one emblazoned with the Uruguayan’s number seven, in a gesture of support for the Liverpool forward by his team-mates.
Al Habsi revealed: “I said to him before the game that I’d like to have the shirt for a friend of mine who is a big fan of his. He was good enough to give it to me, joking beforehand that he’d only pass it on if I let him score.”
After a dominant opening half hour from the visitors, where Al Habsi saved from Jordan Henderson, Dirk Kuyt, Glen Johnson and Adam, Wigan managed to get a foothold, thanks to the work of Victor Moses. The speedy young winger produced a stunning 60-yard run past three defenders before unleashing a fierce shot which was hastily beaten out by Pepe Reina.
The interval failed to halt the flow of the game, with both sides going in search of the win. Al Habsi tipped over curling 20-yard free-kick from Suarez, while Martin Skrtel should have done better when heading over from Jose Enrique’s cross. Kuyt continued a night to forget, volleying over from close range as he met Adam’s quick free-kick.
Wigan almost stole it at the death, Moses prodding a weak shot against the outside of the post as Liverpool failed to clear a corner, the visitors having to settle for a point that sees them remain in sixth place.
WIGAN: Al Habsi 9; Caldwell 6, Alcaraz 5, Figueroa 6; Stam 6, Diame 7, McCarthy 8, Moses 7, Jones 6 (Watson 74, 6); Gomez 6 (Rodallega 74, 5), Sammon 6 (Di Santo 62, 6).
LIVERPOOL: (Reina 7; Johnson 7, Skrtel 7, Agger 7, Enrique 6; Henderson 6, Adam 6; Downing 6, Kuyt 6 (Shelvey 72, 6), Rodriguez 7 (Bellamy 72, 6); Suarez 7 (Carroll 87, 4).
Referee: Michael Oliver.
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