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Liverpool 0-1 Wigan Athletic: Is A Top Four Finish Still Possible?

9 March 2010

Once you think Liverpool’s ahead and could possibly land in the final four for the league, I’ll advice you to change your mind by taking two steps back.

For the first time ever Wigan Athletic claimed a victory over Liverpool on Monday night with a 1-0 win, courtesy of Colombian striker Rodallega.

The hosts were hustling Liverpool well and their pressure paid off on 35 minutes when a back pass from Kuyt was intercepted by Boyce whose cross was clipped past Reina by Rodallega.

Creating the first chance of the evening, a ball from Maxi found Torres in space but Torres’ volley struck the foot of the post instead of finding the back of the net.

Torres had another chance to strike an equalizer for the Merseysiders before the first half was over when he caught Maxi’s cross and turned it into a header. But the header from the cross just flew over the bar and the first half was left 1-0 in the Latics’ favor.

Torres was fit enough to be allowed to play the full 90 minutes and came back in the second half with the same determination to at least score a draw and earn a much needed point.

The Merseysiders enjoyed series of corners but failed to capitalize on any of the opportunities. At the end of the day it was Wigan Athletic’s game to win, and they indeed did that with a 1-0 score card.

Liverpool’s defeat now leads me to my question: can Liverpool still manage to place top four at the end of the season?

You can always hope and pray that the Reds somehow manage to take on the task – but that’s all that seems to be happening this season. Hoping.

With Torres back and things seeming to fall into place (although slower than I’d like), maybe it’s too early to criticize. On the contrary, can Liverpool manage a memorable comeback?

Whatever the case may be, Liverpool needs to get back to their game plan and focus in on their upcoming games with Lille and Portsmouth.

- Match Stats: Wigan 1-0 Liverpool

Wigan: Kirkland, Boyce, Caldwell, Bramble, Figueroa, Diame (Thomas, 82), McCarthy, N’Zogbia, Scharner, Rodallega (Scotland, 86), Moreno (Moses, 67)
Booked: Bramble
Goals: Rodallega, 35

Liverpool: Reina, Mascherano, Carragher, Kyrgiakos, Insua, Lucas (Johnson, 55), Gerrard, Maxi, Kuyt (Babel, 82), Benayoun (Aquilani, 69), Torres
Booked: Kyrgiakos, Insua, Lucas, Gerrard, Torres

Diana Aguilar, Footballfantalk.com
Images from Zimbio

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