For an astonishing 5th time this season Liverpool showed their ‘bouncebackability’ with another comeback to take all three points and remain joint top of the Premiership.
Wigan, or more to the point new star Egyptian striker Amr Zaki, got off to a great start – dominating large spells of the first half as Liverpool’s midfield went missing in action. Worse was to follow when Reina played a poor pass out to Daniel Agger who then failed to clear his lines and Zaki took the ball off the Dane and fired home.
The dagger made amends within minutes when he powered out from defence – eventually reaching the byeline and setting up Kuyt who fired a low shot that Kirkland couldn’t keep out.
Two minutes in to injury time and the reds sloppy defending allowed a cross to come in and Zaki smashed a fine shot in front of the Kop. Peter Crouch would have been proud to have that goal next to his name.
Half time and the reds would need another of their amazing come backs or the misery of Stoke would have been nothing compared to this.
Straight from the whistle Liverpool looked an improved team. Chances were beginning to land the reds way more regularly as so often happens with Liverpool.
The reds were primed up for a free kick when Anthony Valencia just refused consistently to stay ten yards back. Zaire and the World Cup game against Brazil springs to mind. After the referee eventually booked the player Gerrard placed a great shot just wide.
The minutes were ticking down. One betting website had us as high as 15/1 to get three points out of this game.
Then Valencia clattered through Xabi Alonso in a horrible looking challenge. It possibly deserved a straight red, but the second yellow was more than enough and the player left the field. Four times now Xabi Alonso has been the recipient of a red card challenge this season. Maybe he needs to get his head shaved?
Rafa went on the attack. El Zhar and Benayoun replacing Arbeloa and Dossena.
With ten minutes left a well worked move by El Zhar, dummied by Gerrard, was fired home by Albert Riera for his debut Liverpool goal – and the reds had equalised.
Five minutes later – with only 5 minutes to go – a Pennant cross found Kuyt. His miscued scissor kick bouncing in to the net in front of the Kop.
A great comeback from Liverpool – but as Gerrard said post-match – sooner or later we won’t come back. Liverpool stay joint top, but boy do they do it the hard way.
Goals
Teams
Liverpool FC: Reina, Arbeloa (Benayoun 79), Carragher, Agger, Dossena (El Zhar 78), Pennant, Gerrard, Alonso, Riera, Keane (Hyypia 94), Kuyt
Unused Subs: Cavalieri, Insua, N’Gog, Leiva
Yellow Cards: Dossena (39′)
Match Stats
Liverpool Possession: 64%. Shots: 21 (On target = 7). 447 accurate passes. 56 bad passes.
Wigan Possession: 36%. Shots 10 (On target = 4). 226 accurate passes. 26 bad passes.