Liverpool 2-0 Latics

Before a ball was kicked there was a sense of inevitability, with Latics fielding a 4-5-1 formation that never works for the blues.

The side look much more effective playing 4-4-2.

From the kick-off Liverpool were in control of the game, even with Gerrard missing the four man midfield looked to have too much class for Wigans five.

Riise had the first chance firing wide following good work from Pennant.

Liverpool opened the scoring on 30 minutes, Pennant sent in a cross and Dirk Kuyt nipped in front of Filan to head into the net.

Heskey battled upfront with little or no support, but at least Liverpool were kept to just one goal in the first half.

Gonzalez missed a sitter just after the re-start following more good work from Kuyt.

Kuyt scored his and Liverpools second on 68 minutes.

Bellamy went on a mazy run and slipped the ball to the Dutchman who turned and crashed a shot into Filans bottom corner.

The score line flattered Latics as Liverpool had 23 shots (12 on target), and were in complete control throughout the game.

Liverpool:

Reina, Arbeloa, Hyypia, Carragher (Agger 73), Gonzalez, Alonso, Zenden (Gerrard 71), Riise, Pennant, Kuyt, Crouch (Bellamy 63)

Wigan:

Filan, Boyce, Jackson, DeZeeuw, Baines, Taylor (Camara 46), Skoko, Landzaat (Aghahowa 70), Scharner, Kilbane, Heskey (Folan 64)

Referee: Mike Riley

Attendance: 44,003

Vital Wigan is back, so why not join up and join in?

It's easy to register , simply click the link and enjoy getting involved (you can even win prizes!)

Message Board We also need your help in the forum, so join up and kick off the debate, or if you have a forum at the moment, why not enquire about merging with Vital and get free hosting + an income? To visit the message board, click here. Get involved

This website is your website and we are looking for people to help run the site. Do you go to most of the games and have an opinion? Why not write a match report? Perhaps you are a budding journalist or even just someone who is very opinionated? Well why not join our team? If this interests you please contact Vital Wigan.

Click here to join in the debate on the club forum.