A hard working Latics team, without any strikers in the squad, lose to a Sami Hyypia goal to give Liverpool their first win for six games.

Latics had to face the European Champions without a recognised striker as Jason Roberts was still serving his suspension and on-loan Neil Mellor was ineligible to play against his permanent employers. Henri Camara did not return from Egypt in time after participating in the African Cup of Nations. Pascal Chimbonda was also suspended for this match, and it was Matt Jackson who stepped into the right-back position.

The Reds were boosted with the return of Steven Gerrard, and Robbie Fowler made his first league start for the Anfield club since returning on a free transfer from Manchester City. However, Peter Crouch was also missing, and Liverpool made the short trip across the M58 on the back of a poor run of results which have just seen one victory in the last five league games.

Latics did well to try and settle the visitors from Merseyside in the first ten minutes by closing down quickly on Hamann and Gerrard in the midfield. Stephane Henchoz, playing against his former club, made a brilliant interception to prevent Fowler latching onto a through ball by Xabi Alonso.

The games first clear chance arrived in the 14th minute when Morientes' cross was met by Robbie Fowler, but his tame header was an easy save for Pollitt.

Nine minutes later, a one-two movement between Fowler and Gerrard ended in Pollitt making the easiest of saves. Gerrard decided to lob the ball to Fowler when perhaps a strike on target would have been the best option, and it was an opportunity which Liverpool missed.

Moments later David Thompson was booked for tripping Steve Finnan, and referee Rob Styles immediately whipped out his yellow card.

Liverpool's passing became sloppy and Ziegler saw a great chance capitalise on a loose ball to try his luck from long range and strike the ball from thirty yards, and the ball rose inches over the crossbar, just prior to Henchoz became the second Latics player to be shown a yellow card for a foul on Morientes.

The free-kick was taken and only half cleared by the Latics defence. Eventually the ball fell to Sami HYYPIA who easily dispatched the ball into the net as Pollitt struggled to get a grip onto it.

Liverpool could have doubled their lead on the stroke of half-time when Kewell's cross was volleyed towards the target by Fernando Morientes from ten yards, but Pollitt produced a superb save to parry the ball away to safety.

The goal settled the Reds down but Latics still battled hard in midfield,. However with no recognised striker on the pitch, Jewell's men were finding it hard to test Jerzy Dudek.

Half-Time: Latics 0 - 1 Liverpool

Latics almost scored from the off in the second half, the energetic Thompson raced through midfield and his initial shot deflected, the ball looped to Scharner who directed a header towards Dudek's goal, but the Polish 'keeper tipped the ball over the bar. However, the linesman had his flag raised for offside anyway, but it was an encouraging start for Latics.

The Austrian forced Dudek into a stunning save just two minutes later as Matt Jackson's cross was perfect for the former Brann defender to powerfully head towards the target. Dudek tipped the ball over the bar, and it was closest chance Latics had to scoring.

In the 53rd minute Fowler's pass released Gerrard and the Reds skipper powered his way past the Latics defence. He picked his spot shot towards the near post but the shot was punched away by Pollitt.

Liverpool's Polish 'keeper had to make another desperate save three minutes later from his own defender Sami Hyypia. Matt Jackson's low cross was miscued by the Finnish defender and Dudek had to make the dive at the near post to stop Hyypia scoring in his own net.

Latics were patient in their build up of play and it nearly paid off in the 62nd minute. Reto Ziegler picked up the ball on the right flank after a half cleared corner and crossed it back into the box, and De Zeeuw was there to steer the ball with his head towards Dudek's goal, but the it was just wide of the far post.

And the Dutchman went close again three minutes later. Jamie Carragher did well to clear for a corner after Teale had beaten Riise for pace and crossed the ball into the box. From the resulting corner, Ziegler's corner was again met by De Zeeuw, but the header was just inches over.

Latics stopped the visitors from playing for the majority of the second half, but the European Champions were close to doubling their advantage with twelve minutes left. Steve Gerrard's corner was headed down powerfully by Sami Hyppia at the far post, but Pollitt did well to deny him.

The Reds skipper split open the Latics defence in the 86th minute as he released Cisse. The French striker was closely marked by De Zeeuw and could only fire in a shot from a tight angle, and it was a relatively easy save from Mike Pollitt.

It was clear Latics struggled with the absence of any strikers on the pitch, but they certainly worked their socks off in the second half, and in end it was only an unfortunate goal that undid all the hard work. It was a good performance by Jewell's men.

Full-Time: Latics 0 - 1 Liverpool

Latics Starting Line-Up: Pollitt, Jackson, Ziegler, De Zeeuw (c), Henchoz, Teale, Bullard, Kavanagh, Thompson, Scharner, Johansson (Baines 84).

Unused Substitutes: Filan,  Francis, Mahon, Joyce.

Liverpool Starting Line-Up: Dudek, Finnan, Riise, Hyypia, Carragher, Gerrard (c), Alonso, Hamann, Kewell, Fowler (Kromkamp 66), Morientes (Cisse 70).

Unused Substitutes: Carson, Sissoko, Traore, Kromkamp, Cisse.

Referee: Rob Styles (Hampshire)