Wigan Athletic v Liverpool

Monday 8th March 2010, Kick Off 8.00pm
DW Stadium Wigan

Tickets

No tickets are available on the day of the game.

Watch

Martinez video preview [watch]
Rafa Benitez on Wigan [watch]

Listen

Catch full match commentary on Latics Player from 7.45pm with your commentary team of Graham Lovett and Neill Rimmer.  If you're not already a Latics Player subscriber, why not try it for FREE for 14 days?  [Click here] for details.

Preview

On paper, you'd have this one down as an away win, after all Liverpool have never lost to Wigan.  But football isn't played on paper it's played on grass, in this case - brand new grass.  There's a new playing surface at the DW Stadium awaiting two sides who are desperate for the win for vastly different reasons, Liverpool chasing a top four finish, Wigan seeking breathing space between themselves and the bottom three. 

Both sides have had inconsistent seasons but while Wigan have failed to beat sides they were expected to beat, Roberto Martinez has masterminded a couple of results you wouldn't have expected.  The 3-1 win against Chelsea, Wigan's first against the so called 'Big Four', and the opening day win at Villa Park spring immediately to mind.  Who knows if Wigan Athletic can pull off another result to savour on Monday evening?

Team News

A lacks of goals could tempt Roberto Martinez to hand a first start Victor Moses, the former Crystal Palace youngster having impressed with a number of substitute appearances.

Charles N'Zogbia (knee), who scored Wigan's only goal at Anfield in December, and Paul Scharner (groin) are the only injury doubts. Both face late fitness tests but are expected to play.

Liverpool will be without Fabio Aurelio after he was ruled out for three weeks with a thigh injury.

The Reds are hopeful that Daniel Agger will be fit despite the defender leaving Anfield on crutches last Sunday after bruising a bone in his knee.  England right-back Glen Johnson could also play some part, the 25 year old has yet to feature in 2010 after sustaining a knee injury at Aston Villa in December. 

Last Premier League Line Ups

Wigan (v Birmingham (A) L1-0): Kirkland, Bramble, Caldwell, Scharner (Scotland, 45 ), Melchiot, Figueroa, N'Zogbia (Moses, 45 ), Diame, McCarthy (Gomez, 85 ), Thomas, Rodallega.
Subs not used: Sinclair, Boyce, Stojkovic, Moreno.

Liverpool (v Blackburn (H) W2-1): Reina, Carragher, Agger, Aurelio (Insua, 39 ), Rodriguez, Benayoun (Babel, 81 ), Gerrard, Mascherano, Lucas, Torres (Ngog, 89 ), Kuyt.
Subs not used: Aquilani, Cavalieri, Kelly, Ayala.

Head to Head

	Latics Wins	Draws	L'pool Wins
League	0	2	7
League Cup	0	0	2
Total	0	2	9

Last Five Meetings

16/12/09 - Premier League - Liverpool 2 Latics 1
20/01/09 - Premier League - Latics 1 Liverpool 1
18/10/08 - Premier League - Liverpool 3 Latics 2
02/01/08 - Premier League - Liverpool 1 Latics 1
29/09/07 - Premier League - Latics 0 Liverpool 1

Top Marksmen

Wigan: Hugo Rodallega - 7 goals (7 league)
Liverpool: Fernando Torres - 13 goals (13 league)

Match Officials

Referee: Andre Marriner
Assistant Referees: Paddy Keane & Nigel Bannister
4th Official: Phil Dowd

Next Game

Bolton Wanderers v Wigan Athletic
Barclays Premier League
Saturday 13th March, 3.00pm
Reebok Stadium, Bolton
[Click Here] for ticket details