It's Stevie V! Gerrard's shame as Reds' top four hopes take a battering

09 March 2010 11:34
Steven Gerrard could face an FA investigation after appearing to aim this abusive gesture at referee Andre Marriner as Liverpool's Champions League hopes suffered another setback with a 1-0 defeat at Wigan. [LNB]The Liverpool skipper was booked for a scything challenge in the 82nd minute and seemed to give Marriner a V-sign and mouth an obscenity as his mounting frustration at a listless performance boiled over. [LNB]While it appeared to escape Marriner's attention, Gerrard could be in trouble if the FA look into it and decide it warrants disciplinary action. It was yet another brush with authority for an England captain. [LNB] Stevie V: Gerrard makes shameful gesture towards referee Andre Marriner after he was booked in Liverpool's defeat at Wigan[LNB]Gerrard took the armband against Egypt last week in the wake of the scandal that cost John Terry the job of national skipper. [LNB]Benitez claimed he had not seen the incident but was dismayed at theway Liverpool failed to test Chris Kirkland even once, as HugoRodallega's 35th-minute goal gave Wigan their first League win overLiverpool, who would have gone into fourth place with a victory. [LNB]'I don't know if Steven did anything or not, because it was too faraway to see,' said the Liverpool manager, when asked about a flashpointthat occurred on the far side of the pitch.[LNB]After putting the claims to Gerrard, Liverpool dismissed suggestions he had abused the referee and insisted he had done nothing untoward. [LNB] Hugo's boss: Rodallega rams home Wigan's winner to lift the Latics to 14th[LNB]On the game, Benitez added: 'We didn't play well, especially in the first half. We didn't showattitude. It was clear that we gave the ball away too often and tooeasily, especially in the first half. [LNB]'We're not happy. We have to show more character if we want to be in the top four. [LNB]'You are always disappointed after a defeat, but when it is acrucial moment and you know you can do so much better, it is especiallyhard to take. We did nothing in the first half, and it is really hardto explain. [LNB] Floored: Fernando Torres failed to convert several chances at the DW Stadium[LNB]'We were not winning the first or second balls, and it ishard to come up with a reason for that. I let the players know I wasnot happy, and at least there was a response in the second half.' [LNB]Wigan jumped two places to 14th and manager Roberto Martinez said:'The players showed great composure, great understanding. This is oneof the days to be very proud of Wigan.' [LNB]  Wigan 1 Liverpool 0: Rodallega rocks Rafa's men to lift lowly Latics Wigan boss Martinez backs Frenchman N'Zogbia to be England World Cup heroWigan 1 Liverpool 0: How the action unfoldedWIGAN ATHLETIC FC

Source: Daily_Mail