Liverpool 1 Wigan 2: Latics climb off bottom as Caldwell piles pressure on Dalglish
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UPDATED:
17:41 GMT, 24 March 2012
Wigan's survival hopes received an unexpected boost as they recorded their first victory at Anfield to beat a flailing – and rapidly failing – Liverpool.
Much like last season, when they escaped relegation on the final day of the season, Roberto Martinez's side appear to be hitting form at exactly the right time.
They have lost just once in their last seven matches and a first win at Anfield ensured they remain well in the battle to stay up as they are only a point from safety.
Winner: Wigan Athletic's Gary Caldwell fires the ball past Pepe Reina to seal the victory
MATCH FACTS
Liverpool: Reina, Flanagan, Carragher, Skrtel, Jose Enrique, Henderson (Carroll 46), Gerrard, Spearing, Downing (Shelvey 73),
Kuyt (Sterling 84), Suarez.
Subs Not Used: Doni, Aurelio, Coates, Eccleston.
Booked: Suarez.
Goals: Suarez 47.
Wigan: Al Habsi, Alcaraz, Caldwell, Figueroa, Boyce, McCarthy, McArthur, Beausejour (Ben Watson 62), Moses (Crusat 42), Maloney,
Di Santo (Sammon 81).
Subs Not Used: Kirkland, Thomas, Gomez, Stam.
Booked: Di Santo,Figueroa.
Goals: Maloney 30 pen,Caldwell 63.
Att: 44,431
Ref: Lee Mason (Lancashire).
The statistics for Liverpool are damning; five defeats in the last six Barclays Premier League matches – 10 losses for the season – and only two wins in 2012 do not make happy reading for manager Kenny Dalglish.
He is already facing some difficult questions and had he not already won the Carling Cup and progressed to the semi-final of the FA Cup the situation would be even more uncomfortable for the Scot.
Even a late debut for 17-year-old reserves prodigy Raheem Sterling could not lift the gathering gloom at Anfield.
But as poor as Liverpool were credit must go to Wigan who stuck to their task and, unlike in recent weeks when they have been unable to hold on to good positions, they bounced back from Luis Suarez's equaliser to claim a vital victory.
Shaun Maloney's penalty gave the visitors a half-time lead and despite being pegged back just two minutes after the break by the Uruguay international's 12th of the season, Gary Caldwell secured Wigan's first win at Anfield just past the hour.
The early signs were that it was going to be another frustrating afternoon for the home side as nothing they tried came off with passes falling short, going astray or players being caught in possession.
Wigan, by nature of their perilous position, were hungrier and more determined and when Victor Moses got past Jose Enrique, albeit by virtue of a surreptitious handball, Martin Skrtel blocked the winger's shot.
Steven Gerrard's bobbled shot wide
was indicative of Liverpool's play while Stewart Downing fired a
half-volley just wide of the far post after exchanging passes with
Suarez.
Opener: Shaun Maloney (right) puts Wigan in front from the penalty spot against Liverpool
Wigan had not threatened Jose Reina's goal until just before the half hour when Skrtel, in trying to clear Jamie Carragher's aimless header, caught Moses in the face.
Referee Lee Mason pointed to the spot and after a couple of minutes' delay for Moses to receive treatment Maloney tucked away the penalty.
Watching: Liverpool's Jay Spearing (left) vies for the ball against Wigan Athletic's Shaun Maloney
Suarez finally forced Ali Al Habsi into a save five minutes before half-time with a 25-yard curling effort before another Gerrard shot was palmed behind.
Andy Carroll replaced Jordan Henderson, who had been the primary focus of Anfield's annoyance, for the second half but it was Gerrard and Suarez – Liverpool's two most reliable attacking forces – who combined for the equaliser just two minutes after the restart.
Opener: Shaun Maloney (right) puts Wigan in front from the penalty spot against Liverpool
Suarez moved the ball out to his captain on the right of the penalty area and continued his run to convert the return with a shot across Al Habsi.
The Uruguay international should have
doubled his tally in the 53rd minute but inexplicably punched the ball
over the line from Skrtel's downward header when it when he was so close
to the goal he could have let it hit him and it would still probably
have gone in.
Defected: Steven Gerrard (left) ponders Liverpool's poor form as they lose to Wigan
Suarez has previous for use of the hands having denied Ghana a World Cup semi-final place with his last-minute save on the goalline in South Africa nearly two years ago.
The Reds were made to pay in the 63rd minute when James McCarthy's shot from Carroll's defensive header deflected off Jamie Carragher to Caldwell.
Desperate: Liverpool's manager Kenny Dalglish (left) challenges his Wigan Athletic counterpart Roberto Martinez
Showing composure not usually befitting a centre-back in front of goal he side-stepped Carroll to fire past Reina.
With seven minutes remaining Sterling, signed from QPR for 600,000 just over two years ago, was given his chance.
Battle: Liverpool's Steven Gerrard (left) vies for the ball against Wigan Athletic's James McCarthy
The youngster had one good run along the edge of the 18-yard box which almost set up a shooting opportunity but it was asking a lot for the teenager to have an impact on a game in which a number of his vastly more experienced team-mates had failed to impose themselves.
At the final whistle Wigan's small band of travelling fans were ecstatic but the pervading feeling from those who remained at Anfield until the final whistle was one of growing discontent.
False dawn: Luis Suarez and Steven Gerrard celebrate Liverpool's equaliser against Wigan
