Nicholas Raves About Zaki and Bemoans Latics Luck

Sky TV pundit Charlie Nicholas raved about the performance and goals of Amr Zaki in this afternoons game against Liverpool at Anfield but he also thought that Wigan Athletic were a little unlucky to end up losing the game 3 goals to 2, Nicholas commented:

'Wigan, to their credit, played a very open and expansive game and some of the goals had real class, some had sheer energy and there was a little bit of good luck thrown in there for the winner from Dirk Kuyt.

'We questioned Liverpool, they started with Kuyt and Robbie Keane up front today and I don't think it really clicked as a partnership, it didn't really help Liverpool's fluency as Steven Gerrard was playing maybe a bit deeper than he would prefer.

'But credit to Wigan, they played really well. They were 2-1 up at half-time and I think they deserved to be. They were fluent, they were very attack-minded and you have to see the second goal from Amr Zaki - it's an absolute stunner of a volley.

'It was an end to end game as soon as we got the first goal. It was a waste of a half-time because you just wanted this to keep coming.

'It didn't disappoint in the second half either. It was sheer action.'

Talking about the Valencia sending off which could be seen as a turning point in the game Nicholas said:

'It was two yellow cards but I thought it was a straight red,'

'For the first, Alan Wiley was taking an eternity over letting Liverpool take a free-kick and he eventually yellow carded Valencia.

'The second challenge on Alonso was definitely a yellow card, the referee got it right so well done Alan Wiley.

'But from that moment it was nothing but bad luck for Wigan. Liverpool got a lot of luck and they need Torres back. This is a big period of the season for them. Rafa has let momentum slide in the past because he's focused on the Champions League.'

Talking about Latics front man Amr Zaki Nicholas said:

'His value's just going up and up and I tell you what, he puts in a shift and all.

'I think Andy Gray was highlighting him on a live game a couple of weeks ago, he puts in a shift and defenders don't get a rest.

'The first goal was cool as you like and the second was an absolute wonder goal and he was unlucky not to get a hat-trick.

'Then you've got the problem with Emile Heskey - is he going to stay at Wigan? Can they afford to lose both, never mind just Zaki on his own?

'They guy's turned out to be the buy of the season and the find of the season at this moment in time.

'Come January I think there'll be a few big guns coming in for him.'

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