The floodgates are open as Wigan get routed.
Wigan 0-4 (9th & 26th Bellamy, 40th Kuyt, 45th Lee McCulloch [o.g])A brace from our under-performing Welshman plus an unselfish assist allows the Reds to record their win away from home. The big buy of the pre-season finally proved to us the fans why he is worth the big money paid to bring him from Ewood Park to Anfield.
Wigan decided to hold a high line despite Liverpool playing a fast striker in Bellamy. That decision was the mistake that destroyed Wigan in the end.
Bellamy's pace proved to be too much for the Blackburn back 4 as they were caught offguard twice. Bellamy's early goal which resulted from Riise's long ball lift the pressure of our poor away form. Bellamy's finishing wsa wonderful in the game, and in this occasion he sent the ball to the roof of Kirkland's goal post.
Wigan tried to fight back and McCulloch's header which was parried away by Reina and the rebound was volleyed away into the stands by some player. Bellamy's second goal came when he managed to stay onside to receive a Gerrard pass from the center.
The third goal was the goal of the game as Gerrard's through ball managed to break up the 2 defenders which was dealing the three on-coming players, Gerrard, Bellamy and Kuyt. Gerrard's ball released Bellamy who squared the ball to Kuyt who finished the ball behind the defender who slided across the goal line.
The fourth goal came when Gerrard quick cross hit Lee McColluch's legs and it went psat Kirkland.
The second half was more of a boring event with Rafa trying out young players such as Peltier and Guthrie. Wigan had another close chance when Camara's 1v1's encounter with Reina. The Spaniard made his body big and and jumped and as a result blocked the shot.
Our formation became more of a 5-3-2 formation with Riise and Finnan supporting as wing backs. (Just as i predicted ^^)
Heskey then had a chance but he struck the post before hitting a Wigan player's leg and went wide. Overall, yes we deserved the win. However, if Wigan took their chances and led the game, and if they defended well against Bellamy, this game would've been a close encounter.
Liverpool: Reina, Riise, Hyypia, Agger, Finnan, Garcia, Carragher, Alonso, Gerrard (captain), Bellamy, Kuyt. Subs - Dudek, Pennant, Guthrie, Paletta, Fowler
Wigan Athletic: Kirkland, Baines (captain), Boyce, Jackson, Hall, Skoko, Scharner, Kilbane, McCulloch, Heskey, Camara. Subs - Cotterill, Pollitt, Landzaat, Wright, Johansson
Referee: Mike Riley
Conditions: Cold
Attendance: 22,089
Player Ratings:
Reina 8/10
Had 2 great saves. A very confident keeper now.
Finnan 8/10
His fierce shot curled just wide of the right post.
Hyypia 7/10
Was subsituted early in the second half.
Carragher 8/10
Defended well and was composed.
Agger 7.5/10
Not as stable as usual and he looked lethargic.
Riise 8/10
Aggresive and his good high ball assisted Bellamy.
Garcia 7/10
Had a bad game and rarely touched the ball in the second half before he got subsituted.
Gerrard 8.5/10
Back to where he loves. But was very determined and always defended like a captain, surging runs and his great vision found Bellamy for his second goal.
Alonso 7.5/10
Still wasnt match fit and mistimed a tackled and led to a booking.
Bellamy 8.5/10
Man of the match performance with good runs and his pace took him away from every defender. Scored 2 goals with 2 shots.
Kuyt 8/10
Was more of a target man supporting Bellamy in search of the former's hat trick.
Subsitutes:
Guthrie 6.5/10
Was reckless, perhaps becasue he is still young.
Pennant 7/10
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Labels: EPL, Liverpool
