Match Report: Wigan 0-0 Liverpool

By guest writer: Jamie McLaughlin

With a busy festive period starting Liverpool travelled to the DW Stadium to face a Wigan side at the wrong end of the League table. Wigan has a good recent record against Liverpool with two draws in the last couple years at the DW. But Liverpool has good form away from home this season and played well on Sunday away at Aston Villa. Wigan’s last game was a great performance in a 1-1 draw with Chelsea at the weekend. But with the news of Suarez facing a fine and an 8 match ban for the long running saga with the FA it would be interesting to see if he would play.

THE TEAM

Dalglish did start Suarez for the trip to Wigan and only made two changes to the side which beat Villa last Sunday with Maxi and Kuyt coming into the side replacing Shelvey and Bellamy. So once again Carragher and Andy Caroll had to warm the bench . Gerrard is still recovering from injury but good news that he has started training with the first team again.

THE MATCH

Liverpool players showed their support for their much maligned team mate Luis Suarez when they warmed up in T-shirts with a picture of Suarez on them. The visiting support was very vocal in their support for their hero.

The game started with Liverpool on the attack and Adam had an early chance with a free-kick but he put his effort into the wall. Then Henderson tested Al Habsi with a shot from the edge of the box and it wasn’t until the 12^th minute when Wigan had their first effort Gomez’s close range shot was blocked by Reina after a goal mouth scramble.

The game was becoming more stretched as the half wore on with chances at both ends and it was Maxi next when he volleyed over a Suarez centre. Wigan had the next chance when Diame hit the side netting with a great swerving effort.

Maxi and Downing linked up well before Downing’s cross was hooked towards goal by Kuyt but his effort was blocked by Al Habsi. Then Johnson had a great chance inside the 6 yard box but Al Habsi once again came to Wigan’s rescue with another great save.

Liverpool was creating a lot of chances but Wigan still looked dangerous and Reina to be alert to save another Diame effort. Then Moses made a tremendous run from his own half only to see his resulting shot fisted away by Reina.

With both sides level at the half it was Liverpool who came close early in the second half, but Al Habsi tipped a Suarez free-kick over his bar. Moments later Liverpool was awarded a penalty when Caldwell handled a Suarez overhead kick. Adam blasted his spot kick into the corner only to see Al Habsi make a terrific save at full stretch.

The penalty miss seemed to affect Liverpool as they struggled to create as many chances. Dalglish brought on Shelvey and Bellamy for Kuyt and Maxi to try and change things but it was Wigan that could have snatched a winner late on but Rodallega headed against Johnson. Another frustrating night for Liverpool who had more than enough chances to win this match.

SUMMARY

I was quite surprised to see Suarez start after the week that he has had but it was great to see the vocal support from the fans towards him. Liverpool created some good chances but when you miss such a chance like a penalty then you are going to struggle to score. Wigan had chances too and made it difficult but I thought we did enough to win. Great to see our defence get another clean sheet, but it is worrying the amount of chances we miss. Two home games coming up over the festive period, so hopefully 6 points for Christmas.

Man Of The Match – Skrtel – I thought the big man was superb once again. He is playing really well and a big reason why our defensive record is so good.

Written by Jamie McLaughlin, who writes for Anfield News

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Merry Christmas from Red's Fury™ – LFC Fans Blog

May this Christmas end the present year
In a cheerful note and make way
For a fresh and bright new year.
Here’s wishing you a
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

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Rumour Mill: Liverpool keeping tabs on Real Madrid’s German star

Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho has laid down a stark ultimatum to his Germany international midfielder Mesut Ozil that he will be on his way next summer unless there is a marked improvement.

Liverpool are keeping tabs on German international Mesut Ozil after his career at Real Madrid became uncertain.

The German World Cup star has been hit by heavy criticism after his performance in the La Liga defeat to rivals Barcelona.

Damien Comolli will keep an eye on developments and if Real signal they are willing to sell, then the Reds’ director of football will propose a deal.

Liverpool’s hand will be stronger if they qualify for the Champions League, although failure would not rule them out of the running for the 23-year-old.

Real paid Werder Bremen £12.4million for Ozil after he starred in the 2010 World Cup.

At the same time, Madrid is still keen on holding on to Ozil, as they still believe he’s a world-class player, who perhaps needs to get the same patient treatment Karim Benzema got when he struggled during his first year with the Spanish giants.

This story has been reproduced from the media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club or Red's Fury™ blog.

Source: People

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Suarez Saga: Hung Drawn and Quartered

At long last the FA made a decision on Suarez and his alleged racist comments towards Evra, it really is so amazing how long it has taken to come to a conclusion. I obviously feared he would be found guilty but the harshness of the punishment is unbelievable, obviously the FA are making a strong statement to UEFA on their stand against racism in this country and they were determined to make an example of someone, and unluckily for Suarez he was the man they were looking for.

Suarez has been treated harshly since his arrival in this country, constantly being brought up is his handball on the line in the World Cup to biting a players’ ear, his remarkable talent and great play being secondary to these incidents. But the incident with Evra seemed lightweight, it was like Evra’s word against Suarez and yet the FA has hammered Suarez with a fine and an eight match ban. There is players that end other players careers with bad challenges and don’t receive as harsh a ban.

Liverpool have backed Suarez throughout the whole affair and I suppose you would expect that but with such a case as this the clubs’ integrity is at stake here and yet even after the recent verdict they are still supporting their man. The club seem outraged by the decision with the statement they have produced regarding the decision and it will be interesting to see their next move as they look set to retaliate.

Evra is no angel with a history of controversy and this makes this all the more strange how the FA believe his word against Suarez. If he was angry with what Suarez said during the game, then why did he not tell the referee during the match instead of complaining after the game, most “men” would deal with the matter on the park not go crying to officials after the match, can you imagine Souness acting in this way, me neither.

This ban could have a massive effect on the rest of Liverpool’s season as they will not want to lose their star striker for such a long spell. With Liverpool chasing a top four spot, they will need all of their star players available. But more worrying is Suarez being labelled a racist, mud sticks and even if he appeals and gets off with it, the footballing public won’t forget and this stigma will be attached to a wonderful player because one man decided to get him into trouble.

Suarez has been hung out to dry by the FA as they have drawn the whole episode out far too long and they are now going to ban him for about a quarter of the remainder of the season. I just hope Liverpool stick by Suarez and make a stand against the FA because this has not been handled in the right manner, it seemed the FA had made up their mind a long time ago and Liverpool need to do what is right and not be bullied by them. Watch this space, but whatever happens Luis Suarez will never walk alone.

Written by Jamie McLaughlin, who writes for Anfield News

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Extended Match Highlights: Wigan 0-0 Liverpool

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Video Interviews: Show Luis Suarez Racism Appeal In Public

Former Football Association chief executive David Davies tells BBC Breakfast that the FA's charge of racism against Liverpool striker Luis Suarez is "perhaps the most difficult disciplinary case the FA has had to deal with in modern times" due to "the language and cultural issues" surrounding it.

Davies describes the Uruguayan's eight-game ban as a "tough verdict" and believes "the message will go around the world that the FA are serious against" the issue of racism.

More video on Luis Suarez ban:

  

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Wigan 0-0 Liverpool: Reds rue missed chances

Liverpool had to settle for a point after being held to a goalless draw by Wigan Athletic at the DW Stadium on Wednesday night.

After an open first half, in which both sides had their goalkeepers to thank for keeping the score level, the Reds were awarded a penalty five minutes into the second period after Gary Caldwell handled an effort from Luis Suarez.

However, Charlie Adam's low effort from 12 yards was saved by Wigan goalkeeper Ali Al Habsi.

Liverpool continued to press in search of a winner, but they were ultimately to be left frustrated by an inspired display from Wigan's custodian.

Having watched his side win so comfortably at Aston Villa on Sunday, Kenny Dalglish opted to make just two changes to his starting line up for the short journey to Wigan - Maxi Rodriguez and Dirk Kuyt replacing Craig Bellamy and Jonjo Shelvey.

Liverpool have been highly impressive on the road so far this term, and that victory at Villa Park was their fifth in eight contests away from Anfield in the Barclays Premier League. With that in mind, Dalglish would have no doubt have called on his players to pick up where they left off.

A spirited display helped Wigan hold Chelsea to a 1-1 draw at the DW Stadium last time out , but the Reds quickly set about taking the game to their hosts.

Adam smashed an early free-kick into a Wigan wall before good build-up play presented Jordan Henderson with the chance to test Al Habsi from just inside the area.

Read more: Liverpool FC Official

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Video Preview: Wigan v Liverpool

Roberto Martinez will give striker Hugo Rodallega as much time as possible before naming his side to face Liverpool on Wednesday.

Rodallega is Wigan's only injury concern ahead of the visit of the Reds after he suffered a knock during the 1-1 draw with Chelsea on Saturday.

Martinez will assess the Colombian's fitness over the next 24 hours before making a decision on whether or not to risk him in the tie.

Emmerson Boyce, meanwhile, has recovered from a hamstring injury but the game has come too soon for him and he will have to wait until after Christmas before making his return.

Liverpool have no new injury concerns ahead of the trip to the DW Stadium, although Kenny Dalglish must do without Jay Spearing, who is serving his three-match suspension. Other absentees are full-backs Fabio Aurelio and Jack Robinson, although neither would have expected to be in the starting line-up if fit. Dalglish will have a similar match day squad as Sunday at his disposal but may rotate a few personnel to freshen things up during the busy festive period.

Skipper Steven Gerrard is nearing a return to fitness but he is still not ready to take his place following the ankle infection that has kept him on the sidelines for two months.

Referee watch:

Northumberland official Michael Oliver will take charge of his 14th game of the season when the two sides meet. So far Oliver has shown 36 yellow and 2 red cards during games under his control. The 26-year-old has refereed both sides on one previous occasion this season with Wigan enjoying a 2-0 win over QPR in August and Liverpool knocking Brighton out of the Carling Cup 2-1 in September. Oliver was the youngest-ever referee to take charge of a Premier League game, aged just 25 years and 182 days when officiating Birmingham City v Blackburn Rovers on 21st August 2010.

Wigan (from): Al Habsi, Caldwell, Alcaraz, Figueroa, Watson, Diame, Moses, Gomez, McCarthy, Di Santo, Jones, Stam, Van Aanholt, McArthur, Lopez, Thomas, Sammon, Maloney, Crusat, Gohouri, Rodallega, McCarthy, Pollitt, Kirkland.

Liverpool (from): Reina, Johnson, Agger, Skrtel, Enrique, Kuyt, Adam, Henderson, Downing, Suarez, Rodriguez, Doni, Kelly, Carragher, Coates, Shelvey, Bellamy, Carroll.

* By pressing play on the video, you’ve agreed with the English FA rules and regulations on its broadcasting. This video is googled and for personal viewing only.

Match Prediction:

Liverpool played really well against Villa on Sunday and earned a well-deserved 2-0 victory, and against an inferior Wigan side there is no excuse for them to lose.

Wigan has allowed 30 goals this season, tied for third worst in the Premier League and have had difficulty keeping opponents from piling up the goals.

Dalglish's Liverpool team have a lot of quality, especially in the midfield, and will cruise to a comfortable win over Wigan in midweek.

Red's Fury™ Prediction: Wigan 0-4 Liverpool

This story has been reproduced from the media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club or Red's Fury™ blog.

Source: Setanta Sports

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