Liverpool suffered their second defeat of the week to relegation candidates, with a dismal Anfield display against Wigan Athletic.
Raheem Sterling makes his Liverpool debut
The reds league form has collapsed in recent months and Wigan took advantage of Liverpool’s indifferent form to claim their first ever win at Anfield.
Liverpool opted for 3 central midfielders, with Suarez up front on his own, Kuyt and Downing out wide and Carroll and Sterling on the Liverpool bench.
The reds started with plenty of possession, but with little end product – it wasn’t until the 40th minute till the reds had their first shot actually on target.
Wigan began to grow in confidence thanks to some wayward passing from the reds, and an ability to win the second ball. Luis Suarez expressed his fury at Stewart Downing, one particular player unwilling to adhere to the pass and move philosophy.
In the 30th minute the reds failed to clear a free kick and Skrtel was penalised for a challenge on Moses. From the penalty spot Maloney fired Wigan ahead. It was a further 12 minutes before Wigan made the substitution to replace the injured Moses, but even against 10 men the reds failed to force an equaliser such was their ineptitude. Suarez did go closest with a turn and curling shot from the edge of the box.
The reds made the change at half time – going to 4-4-2 with Carroll on for Henderson. The reds appeared to have had a half time dressing down, and came out of the blocks quickly. Gerrard played a square ball for Suarez to fire in the equaliser.
Minutes later Suarez celebrated again, when he put the ball in the net from Skrtel’s header. But the referee ruled the goal out after Suarez handled the ball. He was given a yellow card as a result.
Wigan then managed to get themselves the eventual winner – a chance that bounced off Carragher opened up the Liverpool defence in spectacularly embarrassing style – and Caldwell put it past Reina.
The ineffective Downing was eventually hauled off but replacement Jonjo Shelvey could offer little more.
Towards the end of the game Dalglish had little further options but to bring on 17 year old Raheem Sterling, the reds third youngest debutant, and he immediately showed some sparks of intent. A Liverpool winger, running at players and taking them on? It was a whole new experience for reds fans.
Sadly the reds offered little further threat and Wigan ran out deserved winners.
Liverpool’s league campaign has gone off the boil in a big way – with 5 league defeats in the last 6 games. Simply not good enough.