Liverpool v Latics Preview

Latics travel the short distance down the East Lanc's Road tomorrow to take on Liverpool in a fixture that we have done quite well in of late, two wins and three draws from our last five meetings puts us in the driving seat with regards to form in our meetings

Of course previous encounters will mean for nothing come 3pm and we will need to be on top of our game. With just one place and one point separating the two teams it would suggest that we are quite evenly matched, Brendan Rodgers does like to copy the Martinez style of play so we should be in for a fascinating game tactically

Liverpool have man of the moment Luis Suarez on top form and we will need to watch the Uruguay international closely, but with our front three of Di Santo, Maloney and Kone also playing well I feel we will cause just as many problems for our host's as they will for us

Latics boss Roberto Martinez:

'Luis Suarez is vital at the moment, but I think it would be wrong to give him special treatment because then there are other players around him who can really take advantage of it

'You are not talking about a one-player team - that would be dangerous and wrong.

'It is true that in front of goal at the moment, Suarez is the most influential player in that squad and the stats reflect that.

'But it would be wrong to allow other players to have extra space because the quality is all over the pitch.

'The quality of this side is such that they are ready to go to fight for a Champions League spot, as they will do with time.'

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers:

'I have a lot of respect for Roberto. He is a guy who has been at the top of the game now for a few years in this country.

'Our philosophies are along the same lines in terms of how we want to work.

'We want to turn draws into wins because we are showing our character and resilience at the moment.

'The players are bleeding the tank dry every week for me, pushing everything into the game, and I just hope we can get the rewards for that and get the wins.'

Daniel Agger should be fit even though a groin problem forced him to pull out of international duty with Denmark in midweek. Martin Skrtel has recovered from illness and will take his place in defence.

Pepe Reina is back following a hamstring injury. Jonjo Shelvey is available for selection following recovery from a thigh injury that kept him out last week, though Lucas Leiva, Fabio Borini and Martin Kelly are definitely out

Liverpool possible - Reina, Johnson, Agger, Skrtel, Enrique, Sahin, Allen, Gerrard, Suso, Sterling, Suarez.

Annoyingly good

Ryo Miyaichi is set to travel with the squad after recovering from injury, James McArthur is rated as 50/50, whilst Shaun Maloney, following a midweek injury scare, is fit and raring to go

Ali Al Habsi appears to have made a full recovery from a shoulder injury picked up in the warm up before last week's game with West Brom and the Oman international Should continue in goal for the Latics

Both Antolin Alcaraz and Albert Crusat are still out

Latics possible - Al Habsi, Ramis, Caldwell, Figueroa, Boyce, Beausejour, McCarthy, Watson, Maloney, Kone, Di Santo

A big game is needed from Maloney to pull the strings for the Latics


By permission of Bernard Platt/Wigan Athletic

Latics and Liverpool have met 16 times

Latics 2 wins, Liverpool 9, draws 5

Last Six Meetings

24 Mar 2012 - Premier League - Liverpool 1 Latics 2
21 Dec 2011 - Premier League - Latics 0 Liverpool 0
12 Feb 2011 - Premier League - Liverpool 1 Latics 1
10 Nov 2010 - Premier League - Latics 1 Liverpool 1
08 Mar 2010 - Premier League - Latics 1 Liverpool 0
16 Dec 2009 - Premier League - Liverpool 2 Latics 1

Kevin Friend (Leicester

Why not take a look at our 'Meet The Ref' article

Kevin Friend Card Watch 2012/13

Games - 11, yellows 41, reds 2

Head says 1-1

Heart say's 2-1 Latics win, as always going with the heart

Premier League
Latics v Reading
DW Stadium
Saturday
24/11/12
3pm

Latics v Manchester City
DW Stadium
Wednesday
28/11/12
8pm



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