Liverpool v Wigan Athletic

Anfield, LIverpool
Wednesday 16^th December '09, Kick Off 8.00pm

Watch

Roberto Martinez's Liverpool preview. [watch]
Jason Koumas - A Red In The Camp. [watch]
Roberto Martinez's post match interview at Stoke. [watch]
Paul Scharner's post match interview at Stoke. [watch]
Stoke City v Wigan Athletic Highlights. [watch]

Listen

Listen to full match commentary of the game from Anfield on Latics Player from 7.45pm, with your commentary team of Graham Lovett and Paul Chialton.If you're not already a Latics Player subscriber, sign up now by clicking here.You can also buy Latics Player as a gift, click here for full details.

Preview

Wigan Athletic head to Anfield hoping to secure a victory over the Reds for the first time in their history and much of the nationwide pre-match coverage is suggesting that anything other than a Liverpool win would spark a crisis on the red half of Merseyside.

Wigan have shown enough in many of their games this season to suggest that a win is more than possible at Anfield on Wednesday night, but there is always that burning question of which Wigan side will arrive?

The Manager

Speaking exclusively to Latics Player this week, manager Roberto Martinez expects the Arsenal result to make Liverpool even more dangerous.

"Liverpool are on the back of a disappointing result, but they have a world-class squad which alone makes them a very dangerous side," said Martinez,

"In a way their game against Arsenal was very similar to ours against Birmingham City recently; in the first-half they were very dominant and you have found it difficult to believe that they would not have got anything out of the game, if not the win.

"They'll start very brightly on Wednesday and we need to be able to cope with that, and make sure we continue with the standards we showed at Stoke.

"If we approach the game in the right way we'll get the rewards, because in football you always get the rewards long-term.

"Anfield is one of the Premier League's most glamorous places and we need to be at our best to get the points we couldn't get at Stoke.

Team News

Wigan's only injury worry is over Emmerson Boyce who was forced out of the game after suffering a blow to the head in the process of scoring the opening goal at the Britannia Stadium on Saturday, but manager Roberto Martinez will assess the centre-back more and Tuesday and Wednesday before deciding on his inclusion.  Hendry Thomas is also like to return to the midfield following his one-match suspension picked up for reaching five yellow cards.

Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano should be available despite picking up a minor knock in the 2-1 loss to Arsenal on Sunday.

Could this game see a first Barclays Premier League start for Italian playmaker Alberto Aquilani?  Benitez may be tempted throw him in following the defeat to Arsenal.

Head To Head

If you look at the history of the game then you'd have to say Latics are at best 'outsiders' to get anything from this game. But the two draws have come in the last three meetings, sandwiched by the game which saw Antonio Valencia's red card become the turning point in a game Latics looked likely to go on to win.  Add to that the indifferent form of the two sides, you're best bet might be toss a coin for this one.

Last Five Meetings

28/01/09 - Premier League - Latics 1 Liverpool 1
18/10/08 - Premier League - Liverpool 3 Latics 2
02/01/08 - Premier League - Liverpool 1 Latics 1
29/09/08 - Premier League - Latics 0 Liverpool 1
21/04/07 - Premier League - Liverpool 2 Latics 0

Big Match Stat

Liverpool have only won three of their last 15 matches in all competitions.

Match Betting

188BET, the inplay specialists and principal sponsor of Wigan Athletic offer exceptional odds.  Visit www.188promo.com/wigan and follow the three simple steps to get a free £25 bet from our Principal Sponsor 188BET.  A 1-0 win for Wigan gives you odds of 22/1.

Match Officials

Referee: Phil Dowd
Assistant Referees: Rob Lewis & David Coote
4^th Official: Stuart Attwell

Next Game

Wigan Athletic v Bolton Wanderers
Barclays Premier League
DW Stadium, Wigan
Monday 21^st December. Kick Off 8.00pm
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