Wigan Athletic 1 – Liverpool FC 0
Liverpool don’t like Mondays. They have never won on the first day of the week during Benitez’s time in charge and last night was no exception.
Roberto Martinez, and his team, engineered a worthy victory at home and in doing so increased the pressure on his Spanish compatriot.
Victory would have moved Liverpool back into fourth place and back into the race for a Champions League spot but instead they find themselves back in sixth with little margin for error in the coming weeks.
The first half saw a disappointing performance by the Reds with just a few openings including a Gerrard corner leading to a Torres strike at the woodwork from six yards. But too often their movement was non-existent, case in point when Gerrard accepted possession at the halfway line and then flailed his arms in frustration at no players making any runs.
The one and only goal of the match came ten minutes before half time when Dirk Kuyt passed straight to the feet of Emmerson Boyce who instantly crossed to a waiting Hugo Rodallega who shook off Mascherano and prodded in.
Liverpool did appear a touch more lively after falling behind but it wasn’t going their way, even with the addition of Aquilani and then Babel to the fray.
By the 81st minute Steven Gerrard’s frustration lead to a booking for a challenge from behind on James McCarthy. Replays of the incident suggested that Gerrard had then gestured towards the referee as well as mouthing an obscenity. Although the referee, Marriner did not notice this Gerrard may still have a case to answer with the FA.
Liverpool don’t like Mondays. They have never won on the first day of the week during Benitez’s time in charge and last night was no exception.Roberto Martinez, and his team, engineered a worthy victory at home and in doing so increased the pressure on his Spanish compatriot.
Victory would have moved Liverpool back into fourth place and back into the race for a Champions League spot but instead they find themselves back in sixth with little margin for error in the coming weeks.
The first half saw a disappointing performance by the Reds with just a few openings including a Gerrard corner leading to a Torres strike at the woodwork from six yards. But too often their movement was non-existent, case in point when Gerrard accepted possession at the halfway line and then flailed his arms in frustration at no players making any runs.
The one and only goal of the match came ten minutes before half time when Dirk Kuyt passed straight to the feet of Emmerson Boyce who instantly crossed to a waiting Hugo Rodallega who shook off Mascherano and prodded in.
Liverpool did appear a touch more lively after falling behind but it wasn’t going their way, even with the addition of Aquilani and then Babel to the fray.
By the 81st minute Steven Gerrard’s frustration lead to a booking for a challenge from behind on James McCarthy. Replays of the incident suggested that Gerrard had then gestured towards the referee as well as mouthing an obscenity. Although the referee, Marriner did not notice this Gerrard may still have a case to answer with the FA.
