Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez delivered a brutally honest assessment of his side's performance in their 1-0 Premier League defeat at Wigan.

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Hugo Rodallega's eighth Premier League goal of the season late in the first half ended a run of seven league matches without a victory for the Latics and dented the Reds' top-four hopes.

Asked if he thought it was a fair result, Benitez said on ESPN: "I think so.

"I think we didn't play well, especially in the first half. We didn't show attitude."

Benitez admitted his side gave the ball away too often.

"That is very clear, especially in the first half," he added.

"We're not happy. We have to show more character if we want to be in top four."

Paul Scharner claimed Wigan's win will be a huge confidence boost for the Latics.

"It's a very important three points, it's magnificent to win against Liverpool after a bad run," he said.

"It's massive, I think the confidence will increase now.

"I'm very happy with what my colleagues showed on the pitch today. Hopefully we can stay together."