Liverpool's hopes of securing a top-four finish this season are hanging by a thread after Rafael Benitez's blundering side served up the worst performance in a season of strong contenders.
Most had guessed that Liverpool's abject surrender at crisis-ridden Portsmouth in December or their FA Cup humiliation to Reading in January would be the nadir of a season in which Benitez's furrowed brow and disbelieving stare have become part of the Anfield furniture, but this surrender to a superbly energetic and completely deserving Wigan Athletic side must surely rank as a new low.
Liverpool were, in a word, pathetic. Their supporters may point out that on another night Fernando Torres may have had a hat-trick, having spurned a succession of presentable chances either side of half-time, but to do so is to ignore the bigger issues which are blighting the Reds' season.
Torres' evening mirrored Liverpool's, early rustiness quickly turned into downright ineptitude, and ended in petulance. For the second league game in three, Liverpool collected five bookings. They can expect a letter from the FA for their disciplinary issues, but they should be receiving another for their performance. If that wasn't 'bringing the game into disrepute', then nothing is.
Wigan, by contrast, were everything you would expect from a side battling relegation in front of their own fans. Roberto Martinez can be rightly proud of his struggling side, who matched their illustrious guests from the first minute, and who were excellent value for their victory - their first ever against their Merseyside visitors, and only their second ever against a 'Big Four' club. But for his countryman Benitez, the aftermath will cast a far harsher light.
Benitez was angered by Blackburn Rovers' perceived spoiling tactics at Anfield last weekend, with some justification, but he can have no such complaints about Martinez's charges, who achieved their goals through smart passing, intelligent movement and a well-crafted Hugo Rodallega goal. In short, they produced the kind of display that a side chasing Champions League football should be able to muster, even away from home.
That Liverpool couldn't, that they failed to force Chris Kirkland into getting his knees dirty, that it took more than an hour, and the introduction of Alberto Aquilani, for them to string any sort of cohesive passing move together, will sicken their supporters, who travelled to Lancashire with optimism ahead of a testing Europa League trip to Lille.
A run of one defeat in 10 league games had reignited hope that spring would prove to be Red after a desperately blue winter, but it seems that little has changed at Anfield, despite constant reassurances from inside the camp. Turning corners every week will only lead you back to where you started, after all.
They have already surrendered the initiative in the race for fourth - Tottenham and Manchester City remain a point clear, having played less games, whilst Aston Villa now boast three games in hand - and even a favourable run of fixtures offers few guarantees between now and May.
Benitez bristled after the game when asked about his side's shortcomings, offering only sombre responses to inevitable questions. It was probably for the best - if he had gone into detail about this display we would probably still be waiting for him to finish.
Most had guessed that Liverpool's abject surrender at crisis-ridden Portsmouth in December or their FA Cup humiliation to Reading in January would be the nadir of a season in which Benitez's furrowed brow and disbelieving stare have become part of the Anfield furniture, but this surrender to a superbly energetic and completely deserving Wigan Athletic side must surely rank as a new low.
Liverpool were, in a word, pathetic. Their supporters may point out that on another night Fernando Torres may have had a hat-trick, having spurned a succession of presentable chances either side of half-time, but to do so is to ignore the bigger issues which are blighting the Reds' season.
Torres' evening mirrored Liverpool's, early rustiness quickly turned into downright ineptitude, and ended in petulance. For the second league game in three, Liverpool collected five bookings. They can expect a letter from the FA for their disciplinary issues, but they should be receiving another for their performance. If that wasn't 'bringing the game into disrepute', then nothing is.
Wigan, by contrast, were everything you would expect from a side battling relegation in front of their own fans. Roberto Martinez can be rightly proud of his struggling side, who matched their illustrious guests from the first minute, and who were excellent value for their victory - their first ever against their Merseyside visitors, and only their second ever against a 'Big Four' club. But for his countryman Benitez, the aftermath will cast a far harsher light.
Benitez was angered by Blackburn Rovers' perceived spoiling tactics at Anfield last weekend, with some justification, but he can have no such complaints about Martinez's charges, who achieved their goals through smart passing, intelligent movement and a well-crafted Hugo Rodallega goal. In short, they produced the kind of display that a side chasing Champions League football should be able to muster, even away from home.
That Liverpool couldn't, that they failed to force Chris Kirkland into getting his knees dirty, that it took more than an hour, and the introduction of Alberto Aquilani, for them to string any sort of cohesive passing move together, will sicken their supporters, who travelled to Lancashire with optimism ahead of a testing Europa League trip to Lille.
A run of one defeat in 10 league games had reignited hope that spring would prove to be Red after a desperately blue winter, but it seems that little has changed at Anfield, despite constant reassurances from inside the camp. Turning corners every week will only lead you back to where you started, after all.
They have already surrendered the initiative in the race for fourth - Tottenham and Manchester City remain a point clear, having played less games, whilst Aston Villa now boast three games in hand - and even a favourable run of fixtures offers few guarantees between now and May.
Benitez bristled after the game when asked about his side's shortcomings, offering only sombre responses to inevitable questions. It was probably for the best - if he had gone into detail about this display we would probably still be waiting for him to finish.
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