It was a game of two halves at Anfield - but Liverpool gave the Anfield crowd something to cheer with a comprehensive second half performance.
Liverpool and Wigan played out a relatively dour first half - before Luis Suarez ignited the ground in the second half - scoring twice and involved in the third goal to stretch Liverpool's unbeaten Premier League record to seven games.
Roberto Martinez, overlooked for the Liverpool job in the summer, showed why he attracted attention - both Liverpool and Wigan displayed plenty of ability on the ball in the first half - but the reds chances were limited - all too often players failing to advance high enough up the pitch.
In the 36th minute Rodgers had seen enough. He decided to bring off Suso, replacing him with Henderson.
Henderson brought on to solidify the midfield - with Gerrard being allowed to push forward. It was perhaps harsh on Suso - but with Joe Allen enduring a dip in form, and Gerrard failing to impact in the centre as he used to - the move was a hot topic of debate at half time.
Within a minute of the restart though Liverpool were ahead thanks to the Sterling and, obviously, Suarez show. Sterling intercepted before going past a Wigan defender - he then cut the ball back to Suarez who fired in.
Enrique, who now appears to be in one of his purple patches, found Suarez for the second goal - and Liverpool relaxed with the two goal cushion.
While Suarez toiled chasing the hat-trick, the third goal eventually fell to Enrique to put away - but both Suarez and Sterling were instrumental in its creation. Sterling's initial shot rebounded straight in to the path of the Spaniard to score his first goal for the reds.
Liverpool eased through the rest of the game to secure only their third league victory of the season. Pessimists may point to a miserly return of 15 points in 12 games. Optimists will point to a seven game unbeaten run as sign of improving solidity.
Either way, Liverpool now enter a crucial period of the season - games in which points are expected to be delivered. One thing is clear - Liverpool need to keep Luis Suarez fit before they have to supply him with suitable partners in the January window.
City will buy Suarez for sure…they need him and they got the money.
Probably they will sell Balotelli and buy Luis.
Good luck Luis
Luis is a legend already at Liverpool. Best player in the league and one of the best on the planet and he loves to play in the red of Liverpool FC. We should count ourselves lucky and enjoy the ride, it’s going to be something else to see Brendan Rodgers take this team from nothing, a group of kids with a few committed veterans, to the top of the premier league in a few short years. Just wait and see and enjoy the ride.
Now we will have all the press going to town this week with, Suarez will be bought by Man City or Chelsea for £50 million, blah, blah, blah … When Chelsea paid £50 million for Torres, the player had already decided he was leaving and the body language showed it prior to his departure. It was a no brainier decision for Liverpool to accept the late bid. But with Suarez things are different. The player has just signed a new contract, his family is settled at Merseyside and the player himself has come out to state that he has no intention of leaving. This time the moneybags can only turn Liverpool’s head and not the player’s with some crazy offers like £100- £150 million and they may consider. Liverpool probably could earn more than £50 million on Suarez related merchandising and sponsorship. Anyone thinks Brendan will do a Wenger and sell Suarez to the enemies? I don’t think so. From now every newspaper that states Suarez is wanted by so and so or the club wants to sell him, must be sued by Liverpool. If it turns out, the newspapers have proof from the clubs, than Liverpool ought to take the matter up with the FA for poaching by eg. Chelsea or Man City.