Liverpool v Wigan - Match preview

16 December 2009 11:23
Liverpool face Wigan Athletic at Anfield on Wednesday as their mediocre form continues to stymie their progress this season as their Premier League challenge continues to falter.

The Reds, who lost again at Anfield to Arsenal on Sunday, are in danger of falling well of the pace of not just leaders Chelsea, but the current top four as well as they look to turn their fortunes around.

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This dip in form, that has now brought just one win from their last six league games and which has seen them slide down to seventh in the table and five points away from Aston Villa, who occupy the fourth and final Champions League qualification place.

They have already suffered elimination from the Champions League after a disastrous group stage, although they will feature in the next round of the Europa League.

Manager Rafael Benitez will be pleased that injury victim Fernando Torres is available again after a lay-off and his goals will be pivotal to the Merseysiders if they are to achieve any success this term.

Roberto Martinez's Latics had the opportunity to pick up all three points at Stoke City on Saturday, but Hugo Rodallega's weak penalty kick in stoppage time was saved as they picked up just one point in a 2-2 stalemate.

Maynor Figueroa scored a free-kick from his own half and it must go down as one of the goals of the season to date and rightly so.

Wigan have the luxury of a fully-fit squad ahead of their short trip to Liverpool and they should be confident of claiming a result against the beleaguered European giants.

However, after conceding 19 times in their last six fixtures, they will have a tough job to keep Torres and his team-mates at bay.

Last season's meeting was a cracker at Anfield with the hosts securing a late double to hand them victory.

Egypt striker Amr Zaki forced defender Daniel Agger into a mistake before slotting home the opener only for Dirk Kuyt to equalise.

On the stroke of half-time, Zaki scored a spectacular scissor kick to restore their lead.

Source: DSG