Wigan Athletic – Liverpool

1. Hello everyone and welcome to ESPNsoccernet's live text commentary of Liverpool's trip to Wigan in the Premier League.

2. Just over ten minutes to kick off and we've got that all important team news for you...

3. WIGAN: Kirkland, Boyce, Caldwell, Bramble, Figueroa, Diame, McCarthy, N'Zogbia, Scharner, Rodallega, Moreno. Subs:Stojkovic, Amaya, Thomas, Scotland, Moses, Gomez, Sinclair.

4. LIVERPOOL: Reina, Mascherano, Carragher, Kyrgiakos, Insua, Lucas, Gerrard, Maxi, Kuyt, Benayoun, Torres. Subs: Cavalieri, Johnson, Aquilani, Agger, Riera, Babel, Ngog.

5. Against north west teams this season, Liverpool have done extremely well, taking 27 points, while Wigan haven't been so impressive. And did I mention that Wigan have NEVER beaten Liverpool?!

6. The omens are good for Rafa in this, the battle of the Premier League's Spanish managers.

7. Benitez was in confident mood before the game and with Torres back, I think i would be too! The Spanish striker has 13 Premier League strikes to his name this season, despite having been injured for much of the campaign.

8. The players are out on the pitch and we're almost ready for kick-off in Lancashire.

9. And we're off...

10. 1'

    Wigan get things going and they've searched for Moreno early on down the right.

11. 1'

    Liverpool fans make up a quarter of the crowd here, it's unfortunately a ground that is rarely full the DW stadium.

12. 2'

    Kuyt and Gerrard link up well and Torres is played in down the left. Caldwell tackles the striker firmly to let him know he's there.

13. 2'

    It was a bit of a loose first touch from Torres there.

14. 3'

    In the past Benitez might have been tempted to rest a couple of players for this one but not this time, every match between now and the end of the season is crucial for Liverpool.

15. 3'

    Bramble and Caldwell keep possession for Wigan but eventually it's hoofed long for Moreno.

16. 4'

    The bolivian is looking a little isolated early on, he will need plenty of support from Rodallega who has been Wigan's best player this season.

17. 5'

    Mascherano sprints down the right and crosses the ball in towards Torres. It's cleared to Gerrard on the edge but it's not one of his best efforts and it didn't bother Kirkland too much.

18. 5'

    McCarthy touches it in towards Rodallega but Carragher wins it well.

19. 6'

    Gerrard with a searching ball towards Torres but it'll be searching for a while as it's far too long.

20. 6'

    N'Zogbia looks dangerous with his first touch, but as he tries to accelerate away with his second, he loses the ball.

21. 7'

    Torres makes a run down the right and he's onside but Caldwell recovers well after trying to play him off.

22. 7'

    Benayoun hits one from the edge of the area but it's deflected out for a corner.

23. 8'

    Great chance for Torres. Gerrard's corner was headed out but Mascherano nodded it back towards an unmarked Torres at the back post who has crashed his effort against the outside of the post.

24. 9'

    Liverpool have been by far the better side so far. Gerrard again driving his side through the middle and it's another corner for the Reds now.

25. 9'

    Gerrard takes and it's towards Kyrgiakos. It pinballs around a bit and eventually it's cleared.

26. 10'

    N'Zogbia and Rodallega burst on the break at pace, looking dangerous, but the pfinal ball just isn't there from N'Zogbia.

27. 11'

    This time Wigan have the corner after Kyrgiakos heads it out. Goood build up from the Latics.

28. 12'

    Wigan try to play it short but it's all too intricate, they haven't even attempted to put a cross in!

29. 13'

    The youngster McCarthy is looking bright now and he had no fear taking on Kyrgiakos.

30. 13'

    Great chance for Wigan. Long throw was met by N'Zogbia who did well to take on Insua and played a tantalising ball across the box. Moreno was inches away from getting a boot onto it.

31. 14'

    A good spell for Wigan then and Diame intercepts to find Rodallega. But the Colombian can't quite find Moreno as Carragher gets his foot in.

32. 15'

    Liverpool's Javier Mascherano and Wigan's Hendry Thomas have put in the joint highest amount of tackles in the league this season (127).

33. 16'

    Liverpool now having some time to build up possession but Insua loses patience and looks for the killer ball. Liverpool just need to try to take some time.

34. 16'

    Kirkland with a terrible kick, straight into the face of his own player Figueroa and it's gone out for a Liverpool corner.

35. 17'

    Gerrad takes but it's cleared away at the near post and Mascherano's subsequent cross is too long. Boyce brings Wigan forward.

36. 18'

    Fantastic football by N'Zogbia, shrugged off Insua with ease and just couldn't find the ball after working his way into the box.

37. 18'

    Free-kick to Wigan now in a dangerous position. Well battled by Figueroa and it's Rodallega in the end who draws the foul from Lucas. About 20 yards out.

38. 19'

    Rodallega looks like he fancies it.

39. 19'

    He did, but he just hasn't made the goalkeeper work as it sails over the bar.

40. 20'

    Wigan have been great in the last ten minutes, and N'Zogbia has looked exciting down the right. He is now eligible to play for England too, are you watching Fabio?

41. 21'

    Insua takes N'Zogbia down cynically in the centre circle. Yellow card for the Liverpool left back.

42. 21'

    Liverpool looking all over the place a bit as Wigan continue to press.

43. 22'

    McCarthy swings a hopeful cross in but it's comfortable for Reina.

44. 22'

    Here come Wigan again, really exerting some meaningful pressure. Figueroa and Rodallega link up well down the left before the Hionduran whips a cross in. Cleared well by Kyrgiakos though.

45. 23'

    Maxi Rodriguez skips through for Liverpool but he tried to run through a wall of players and took a dive worthy of Olympic gold in the high jump, propelling himself into the air.

46. 24'

    Mascherano whips in a fantastic cross from the right but noone can get on the end of it.

47. 25'

    Liverpool have scored one goal in each of their last two visits to the DW Stadium, both courtesy of Yossi Benayoun.

48. 26'

    Somehow Liverpool have not managed to score. Great work between Kuyt and Benayoun and the Israel midfielder pulled it back for Gerrard who couldn't engineer a shot and ended up scooping it wide, but not even out of play. A real slicer from the Liverpool captain.

49. 27'

    N'Zogbia getting marginalised a little bit now, with Insua, Lucas and Mascherano all chasing down the winger when he got hold of the ball.

50. 28'

    Lucas fouled the marauding Titus Bramble - yes you haven't misread it - but Wigan waste the free-kick.

51. 29'

    It was a yellow card there for Lucas too.

52. 29'

    Liverpool building up from the back now. Former Rangers defender Kyrgiakos has looked a calming influence in defence.

53. 30'

    Really loose ball from Gerrard, that's the second one of those in the poast five minutes. What's happened to his radar?!

54. 31'

    Wigan have the ball in an advanced position but Gerrard has it back and he's found Torres - who is promptly brought down by Caldwell. More like brought to a halt in fact as it's a fair challenge from the Scot.

55. 32'

    Martinez will be delighted with how the Latics are doing so far.

56. 32'

    Kyrgiakos the third Liverpool player to be booked now. He's brought down Scharner who would have been away down the right.

57. 33'

    There's only been five fouls, and three have resulted in bookings.

58. 33'

    Scharner lofts it forward and Reina punches out.

59. 33'

    Another good ball from N'Zogbia and Wigan continuing to cause problems.

60. 34'

    GOAL! Rodallega.

61. 35'

    Wigan 1-0 Liverpool. Wigan just kept on plugging. Kuyt gave the ball away and Boyce produced a peach of a cross with the outside of his right foot. Rodallega peeled off and guided a left foot effort past Reina.

62. 36'

    N'Zogbia sprints through the middle and it looked like he would beat Insua to the ball, but the Argentine left back does well to ease him off the ball. Good strength.

63. 37'

    It was a really smart finish from Rodallega and it's no more than Wigan deserve really. They've beaten Chelsea this season and they smell blood again now.

64. 37'

    Kyrgiakos has too much strength for Moreno and the Bolivian is outmuscled by the Greece defender.

65. 38'

    Kuyt with some space down the right and he looks inside to Gerrard who is dispossesed. It's been a disappointing night so far for the Liverpool captain.

66. 39'

    Benitez must be looking to change things at half-time. Torres is feeding on scraps.

67. 39'

    He's got hold of a scrap here and Bramble has slammed into him. Foul and a yellow card for the Wigan defender.

68. 40'

    The ball is lifted in toward Kuyt but he's given the ball away and McCarthy is on the charge.

69. 41'

    Great surging run by the youngster and Carragher does well as he's the last man facing up to N'Zogbia at pace.

70. 42'

    Mascherano this time the Liverpool player to give it away but they've won it straight back.

71. 42'

    But now Rodallega with some space down the left. Dispossessed by Mascherano. It's end-to-end stuff. Not because of quality football but because neither side can keep hold of it. Very sloppy.

72. 43'

    Good chance for Torres. It's a fairly free header after Kuyt's right wing cross, but he's headed it over.

73. 44'

    Martinez is beaming from ear to ear, his Wigan side are good money for their lead.

74. 44'

    Rodallega searches long for Moreno. Carargher gets hold of it but he's left it short for Reina and Liverpool are lucky to escape there.

75. 44'

    Just mistake after mistake from Benitez's side.

76. 45'

    Three minutes added time at the end of the first half.

77. 45'

    Torres gives away a free-kick and he just looks utterly fed up.

78. 45'

    Rodallega and Figueroa engineer some space and Wigan are going to finish this half deep in Liverpool territory.

79. 45'

    There goes the half-time whistle...

80. 45'

    HALF-TIME. Wigan 1-0 Liverpool. It's been a frustrating evening for Benitez's side. The Latics are deservedly ahead and it's been a busy performance from the likes of Figueroa, N'Zogbia and goalscorer Rodallega. Gerrard looks out of sorts and Liverpool need a massive improvement if they are to get abck in the game. Grab a cup of tea and I will see you in 15 minutes.

81. 46'

    Right we're off...

82. 46'

    So will Benitez's side be able to fight back to finish the evening in fourth place? Only the next 45 minutes will tell.

83. 46'

    Early chance for Wigan, McCarthy bursts through and he's in acres. He switches it to Rodallega who has plenty of time but it's blocked away by Mascherano.

84. 47'

    Another chance as N'Zogbia crashes a cross in - it's overhit but he had plenty of time to pick out a Wigan man and will be disappointed.

85. 47'

    Wigan looking bright again as Rodallega skips down the right.

86. 48'

    Liveprool come forward now as Gerrard plays in Benayoun on the edge but it's a poor second touch.

87. 49'

    Another chance for Torres! Maxi Rodriguex pulls it back this time and Torres has blasted it over the bar from about 15 yards out.

88. 49'

    Torres yet to hit the target as Rafa shakes his head in disbelief.

89. 50'

    Liverpool have lost more games this season than in the last two combined - this could be number nine in the league this campaign.

90. 51'

    Neat turn by Boyce who is having a great game from right back. He's full of energy down the flank and advances all the way into the penalty area before misplacing his pass.

91. 52'

    Torres comes short for the ball this time and after exchanging passes with Mascherano is shepherded out by Bramble. Frustrating for the Spaniard.

92. 53'

    Poor challenge from Diame in the centre circle on Lucas and Gerrard floats it in.

93. 53'

    Figueroa does well against Benayoun, forcing him out.

94. 54'

    Liverpool sub: Johnson on for Lucas

95. 54'

    Great news for Liverpool and England fans, Johnson goes to right back and Mascherano comes into central midfield.

96. 55'

    The Argentina international's first central midfield contribution is a foul.

97. 55'

    Mascherano had looked poor at right back and was guilty of ball watching and being caught out of position on more than one occasion.

98. 56'

    Kyrgiakos storms forward and after taking a heavy touch left his foot in on Boyce. He's lucky the ref didn't see that one. Naughty boy.

99. 56'

    Carragher shows great strength against Moreno. The Bolivian striker has put in a good shift but it's been difficult for him up against the vastly experienced Carragher.

100. 57'

     Torres slides it in towards Kuyt but it's too fast.

101. 58'

     Uncertainty again between Carragher and Reina, he kicks the ball against Moreno and it's deflecting in from a ridiculously tight angle until Kyrgiakos heads it over from just underneath his own crossbar.

102. 59'

     Rodallega takes the corner and it's a good chance for Moreno but he's headed it over the bar.

103. 60'

     This has been the first time Liverpool have conceded a first-half goal in ten league games since losing 2-0 at Portsmouth during December.

104. 61'

     Johnson gallops forward but a great challenge from Figueroa leads to the left-back turning defence into attack in a matter of seconds.

105. 62'

     Torres and Johnson combine down the right but it's Torres who has put the cross in - Liverpool need him in the box! It's cleared away easily.

106. 62'

     And again it's a rapid counter from Wigan, Rodallega finds Moreno who takes a smart touch inside before seeing his left foot shot from 18 yards saved by Reina.

107. 63'

     Throw in now for Wigan in an advanced position and they've packed the box for Figueroa's long throw.

108. 63'

     25 yard volley from Emerson Boyce. Audacious effort from the right back and it's fizzed wide.

109. 64'

     Straight down the other end and it's a Liverpool corner. Figueora clears out with Maxi Rodriguez on his back.

110. 65'

     Gerrard crosses and Torres goes down claiming a push. The referee turns his nose up to those claims.

111. 65'

     Liveprool starting from the back as Carragher and Johnson combine. Benitez's side work it forward and Bramble gives it away in a dodgy position before being bailed out by centre back partner Caldwell.

112. 66'

     Corner for Liverpool and Gerrard swings one ion again but again Wigan hold their line.

113. 66'

     Torres shoots from 20 yards and I kid you not, his right foot effort has gone out for a throw-in. Poor.

114. 67'

     Wigan sub: Moses on for Moreno.

115. 67'

     Really energetic performance from Moreno and I expect more of the same from his replacement.

116. 68'

     Another Liverpool corner now and this time it's Benayoun to take.

117. 68'

     Doesn't even get past the first man but he will have another bite of the cherry.

118. 68'

     Kyrgiakos heads it out inadvertently for a goal kick.

119. 69'

     Liverpool sub: Aquilani on for Benayoun.

120. 69'

     It's a rare sighting - but yes, it's really him. Aquilani does exist, but can he change the game for Liverpool.

121. 70'

     Gerrard searches in vain over the top for Torres and now Moses can break for Wigan.

122. 71'

     He gives it to Rodallega down the left but the Colombian is forced out by Mascherano.

123. 72'

     Kuyt drags Liverpool forward and Gerrard steams through before playing a dangerous ball across the Wigan box. But Kirkland is up to it and he has it in his grateful grasp.

124. 72'

     Groans from the 4,000 Liverpool fans are echoing around the stadium.

125. 73'

     Aquilani attempts to build up some possession but Wigan have chased down everything.

126. 73'

     On the break again, N'Zogbia gets in ahead of Reina, he pokes it off the goalkeepers legs and Scharner can't quite get onto it at the back post.

127. 73'

     It was certainly a chance and it's a corner.

128. 74'

     Moses puts it in and it's cleared back out ot him. He attacks Johnson and wins another corner.

129. 74'

     Disappointing ball but another second attempt puts it into the danger zone. Scharner swings a volley but it's deflected safe.

130. 75'

     Another Torres miss. Crisp move and an excellent cross from Insua. Torres with an acrobatic scissor kick but it's wide of the post. Great effort and it would have been an excellent finish if it had crept in.

131. 76'

     Rodallega runs at Liverpool's defence after Mascherano gives the ball away. But there are enough red shirts to hold him off.

132. 77'

     When Liverpool were winning all their titles in the 70s and 80s, Wigan were plying their trade in the lower echelons of English football. Now they are closing in on a first ever win over the five-time European Cup winners.

133. 78'

     Wigan have a man down but Liverpool play on. Torres gives it away.

134. 78'

     He's chased back almost half the length of the field to try and win the ball back but he catches Boyce from behind and Torres is yellow carded for his troubles. Complete frustration.

135. 79'

     Caldwell to take the right wing free-kick. He switches it to the left but as the cross comes in Rodallega and Kyrgiakos have pulled each other to the floor.

136. 80'

     Good work by Insua down the left but it's not a great cross.

137. 80'

     Gerrard forced off the ball bravely by Bramble.

138. 81'

     Gerrard booked this time for a reckless challenge on McCarthy. He did get a little bit of the ball but he's left the floor which made the booking a touch inevitable.

139. 82'

     Wigan sub: Thomas on for Diame

140. 82'

     Liverpool sub: Babel on for Kuyt.

141. 82'

     Nightmare day for Kuyt who has been awful. Diame has played well, breaking up play and demonstrating a great work-rate.

142. 83'

     Babel immediately makes something happen for Liverpool down the left, interchanging with Insua before playing it back to the left back. But the cross again isn't good enough.

143. 84'

     Liveprool streaming forward at every opportunity now, but can the red wave make somehting happen?

144. 84'

     Rodallega catches Babel in possession and it must be contagious! It was a shooting opportunity for the Colombian but he's blazed it wide.

145. 85'

     Wigan sub: Scotland on for Rodallega.

146. 86'

     Rodallega looks both tired and injured but he's been fantastic. Will he prove to be the matchwinner?

147. 86'

     Throw in for Wigan in an advanced position and they're unsurprisingly trying to keep it in the corner.

148. 87'

     Moses has it on the left but Maxi wins it back and Aquilani distributes it to Gerrard.

149. 87'

     Babel advances down the left and they are deep in Wigan territory.

150. 88'

     Free-kick for Wigan in an unnecessary position for Carragher to give away the foul against Scotland.

151. 89'

     Liverpool have failed to score in five of their last seven Premier League away games, including the last three in a row. This would be four.

152. 90'

     Insua brings Liverpool forward, and Aquilani with a cross-field pass towards Maxi. It's cleared but there's five minutes of stoppage time to be played.

153. 90'

     Free-kick for Wigan as Aquilani commits a foul in the centre circle.

154. 91'

     The last time Martinez got the better of Benitez was in a youth team game between Real Madrid and Zaragoza!

155. 92'

     Liverpool still pushing desperately for an equaliser but here comes N'Zogbia on the break.

156. 92'

     He looks inside for Scotland but Johnson has read it easily. Wigan have the ball right inside the Liverpool half before it goes out for a goal kick.

157. 93'

     Booted long by Bramble towards Moses. He does brilliantly to get inside Johnson and fires a powerful shot inches over Reina's goal.

158. 94'

     Wigan breathe again after Kyrgiakos causes problems in the Latics' penalty area. Caldwell gets it clear.

159. 95'

     Wigan free-kick and with seconds left that should be that.

160. 95'

     It's all over...

161. 95'

     Wigan 1-0 Liverpool. They've done it. Rodallega the matchwinner and could that be a key match in the race for fourth place? It's a first ever win for Wigan over Liverpool and it was fully deserved. It was an energetic and resourceful performance from Martinez's side while Benitez's charges were utterly disappointing. Liverpool stay 6th while Wigan move up to 14th. Thanks for joining us folks.

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