Liverpool's 2-1 victory over Wigan in the week of the 50th anniversary of Bill Shankly's first match at the club would not have impressed the legendary manager but it was a welcome relief for current boss Rafael Benitez.
Young French striker David Ngog's 10th-minute glancing header from Fabio Aurelio's cross and Fernando Torres' second-half scrambled effort proved enough to see off a Latics side, for whom Charles N'Zogbia scored an injury-time consolation.
It was only Liverpool's fourth win in 16 matches and just their second at Anfield since September 26 but it will do much for the team's shaky confidence.
Wigan cracked as early as the 10th minute. Aurelio's inswinging right-wing cross was met by Ngog just in front of Chris Kirkland and he glanced a header past the former Liverpool goalkeeper and into the far corner.
Wigan midfielder Paul Scharner headed N'Zogbia's cross straight at Jose Reina before Kirkland redeemed himself for his misjudgement on the goal. His brilliant 17th-minute reaction save from Dirk Kuyt after Yossi Benayoun's quick throw had released Ngog down the right prevented Liverpool adding a second.
But having taken the early advantage the home side laboured to extend it with Wigan happy to sit back and compress play into a 30-yard zone from the edge of their penalty area.
Aurelio was the heart of most of Liverpool's chances and, after almost picking out Benayoun at the far post two minutes before half-time, he then set up a chance for Ngog. The Brazilian's pass deflected off Hendry Thomas into the penalty area but the Frenchman's shot rolled inches wide of the far post.
In the 51st minute Kirkland again displayed the talent which, were it not for his injury problems, would probably have him in Fabio Capello's England squad as he somehow tipped over Kuyt's first-time shot on the run from Ngog's cross.
Liverpool were gradually going backwards and their opponents sensed a chance to snatch a point. However, that was snuffed out in the 79th minute by Torres. He was put clean through by Emmerson Boyce's back-header from Jamie Carragher's punt and should have beaten Kirkland comfortably. He mis-kicked and Titus Bramble half-stopped the ball on the goalline but somehow Torres scrambled it over for his 49th goal in 69 league appearances.
However, in the second minute of injury time N'Zogbia ran across the penalty area to poke home a consolation to highlight just how shaky the Reds' defence has become.
Comment 1 - 6 of 6
Michael: Is that the best you can do? pathetic! Yak! yak! yak! Particularly the bit about 'Mighty Reds on the other hand are still there, striving to have the 19th before ManU' Now I know you are having a laugh, you’re a bigger comedian than Benitez! Yak! yak! yak!
we're not in good terms right now but... we got to walk on... walk on liverpool!!! we'll always be there for you!!
Liverpool played well last night and deserved a few more (but for kirkland they would have). Liverpool have been playing well for several games, but nerves at the back, atroughous refereeing decisions, they have not got the points they deserve. liverpool do not deserve the critism they are getting from the pundit kangaroo courts of sky and five live
1. It is truly wondrous to see ManU reaching their¬ full potential by playing such woeful football against a pre-match fitting Wolves(match fitting between Fergie and Mick). Arsenal,Chelsea are all playing better than¬ ManU but more importantly they all have a better¬ squad. This means that ManU will miss out on that¬ precious first place and will not be the champions¬ for this seasons but I suspect¬ that it will be a few more than that as ManU will¬ be unable to attract the very top players since the Glazers owe a lot. Indeed¬ their only four decent players, Rooney, Giggs,¬SnailTuf and Valencia will all move on to a more debt free and better¬ clubs, mind you, you will still have arrogant match fitting Fergie because as¬ The Glazers put it 'He's absolutely the¬ best in the business'. It just goes to show how¬ much they know about football. Yak! Yak! Yak! ManU is a club that's going nowhere fast, except disgracing the entire EPL clubs at Champions League finals. Mighty Reds on the other hand are still there, striving to have the 19th before ManU, and with the¬ dazzling array of youthful talents like Giggs,Scholes and VDS coming through at Old¬ Trafford It's going to happen later rather than¬ sooner and no doubt lesser more after that for years to¬ come. Seeing the stagnant trend of Manu will ensure¬ that every Chelsea fan will have a very merry¬ Christmas and an even happier new year, thank you The Glazers debtors! Yak! yak! yak!
It is truly wondrous to see Liverpool reaching their full potential by playing such woeful football. Villa, Spurs and Man City are all playing better than Liverpool but more importantly they all have a better squad. This means that Liverpool will miss out on that precious fourth place and will not be playing champions league football for at least two seasons but I suspect that it will be a few more than that as Liverpool will be unable to attract the very top players. Indeed their only four decent players, Reina, Mascherano, Nonce and Ponce will all move on to bigger and better clubs, mind you, you will still have Benitez because as Hicks & Gillett put it 'He's absolutely the best in the business'. It just goes to show how much they know about football. Yak! Yak! Yak! Liverpool is a club that's going nowhere fast, except downhill. Man United on the other hand are still right up there, striving to be champions again and get that record breaking 19th championship, and with the dazzling array of youthful talent coming through at Old Trafford It's going to happen sooner rather than later and no doubt many more after that for years to come. Seeing the decline of Liverpool FC will ensure that every Man United fan will have a very merry Christmas and an even happier new year, thank you Rafa, Hicks & Gillett! Yak! yak! yak!
Up liverpool, winning one match lossing another we lead us 2 nowhere, let put our heart 2gether & start a straight winning race. In LIVERPOOL we trust.
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