Match Report: seven games unbeaten: Liverpool 3-0 Wigan
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 17: Luis Suarez (C) of Liverpool is congratulated by team-mates Raheem Sterling (R) and Jose Enrique after scoring the opening goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Liverpool and Wigan Athletic at Anfield on November 17, 2012 in Liverpool, England.
Liverpool went into the game against Wigan with an impressive six-match unbeaten streak in the Premier League which began at Norwich, despite failing to win more than three times at Anfield in the entire calendar year, which proved how inconsistent the Reds had been since the latter half of last season.
Liverpool began proceedings with four at the back as Jose Enrique was given the responsibilities of controlling the left wing position. Liverpool started well, mustering 3 corners and a number of shots towards goal inside the first fifteen minutes. Wigan got back into the game as they started taking possession of the ball. Maynor Figueroa, Jean Beausejour, Shaun Maloney and Arouna Kone did well as they played passes all around the field. But neither side succeeded in creating clear cut chances.
Wigan were forced to make a substitution in the 27th minute as Ben Watson was taken off injured and was replaced with David Jones. Brendan Rodgers made a tactical change as Suso was taken off and Jordan Henderson replaced him. It was not understandable as why exactly Mr. Rodgers made that change as Suso was not doing bad playing a Number 10 role.
The first half ended 0-0 with nobody creating anything prominent.
The second half, however, started with a bang as Liverpool got the crucial goal immediately after the restart. Luis Suarez did not make any mistake while putting the ball delivered by Raheem Sterling, into the top right corner of the goal. There was no looking back for Liverpool after that. They kept possession of the ball very well and kept pressing when Wigan tried to hold it. Jordan Henderson proved his critics wrong as he linked up well with Joe Allen in midfield. His work rate was quite appreciated by the Anfield crowd as he made life hard for Wigan’s players.
Liverpool got their second goal in the 58th minute as Jose Enrique pierced the Wigan ranks with a through ball to Suarez who scored his second of the night. But all credit must be given to Enrique as he cut across from the left side of the pitch, beating three players en route, thanks to his quick feet and strong physical abilities. Liverpool did not give up and looked for more goals, creating more pressure into the Wigan Box. Jose Enrique scored his first Liverpool goal in the 65th minute of the game as Sterling passed the ball onto him right in front of goal, securing his second assist of the night.
Liverpool could have gotten number four, as Enrique chipped the ball towards the left of the Wigan box, but Henderson skied his shot. Wigan tried to get back into the game, but it was too late for them. Jamie Carragher came on for Daniel Agger, who had been reportedly suffering from a groin injury, in the 81st minute. Liverpool kept the ball and allowed very little space for Wigan to attack. Luis Suarez was substituted in the 86th minute as Jonjo Shelvey replaced him. Four minutes were added as injury time but Wigan were unable to do anything to scare the Liverpool defense.
With that win Liverpool are now 11th in the table, eight points away from 4th spot. Brendan Rodgers will make the trip back to his old club as Liverpool travel to the Liberty stadium on the 25th of November where they take upon Michael Laudrup’s Swansea City.
Lineups:
Liverpool: Jose Reina, Andre Wisdom, Daniel Agger (Jamie Carragher 81′), Martin Skrtel, Jose Enrique, Joe Allen, Glen Johnson, Steven Gerrard, Raheem Sterling, Luis Suarez (Jonjo Shelvey 86′), Suso Fernandez (Jordan Henderson 37′)
Subs not used: Brad Jones, Nuri Sahin, Joe Cole, Sebastian Coates
Wigan Ath.: Ali Al-Habsi, Ivan Ramis, Gary Caldwell (Jordi Gomez 68′), Maynor Figueroa, Emerson Boyce, Ben Watson (David Jones 31′), James McCarthy, Jean Beauserjour, Shaun Maloney, Franco di Santo (Ryo Miyaichi 68′), Arouna Kone
Subs not used: Michael Pollitt, Callum McManaman, Mauro Boselli, Ronnie Stam