Three Points Against Wigan, Just

Liverpool are 11 games into their season in all competitions. Rafa Benitez has made 57 squad changes in those 11 games, 7 of them coming yesterday against Wigan as Liverpool were really made to work for the three points. Fair enough, Yossi Benayoun bagged himself another decent goal for Liverpool, but yesterday’s performance should have yielded a lot more against Wigan. Finishing lacking a clinical style, Torres at points opting for a bit too much flair when he could have made things easier for himself - noting his overheard kick in the first half.

For his part though, Chris Kirkland did well enough against his old club, keeping Dirk Kuyt out of the goal within the first quarter of an hour, Skoko denying Kuyt in the second half, stepping in front of Kirkland who was caught off his line.

Whatever was said in the Wigan dressing room at half time riled them up, Marcus Bent finding the net early in the second half, unmarked and firing past the helpless Pepe Reina only for a very late flag by the linesman. The call was a little suspect but Liverpool got away with it in the end, Wigan firmly letting the Reds know there were going to be a threat for the remainder of the game.

Liverpool’s breakthrough finally game inside the last quarter of the game, Yossi Benayoun collecting the ball at the edge of the box, turning one, twice around Titus Bramble and firing low and beyond Chris Kirkland, a terrific solo effort in rare moment of a focused Liverpool attack.

A hard fought goal, but a goal - and three points - all the same. So long as we don’t wind up playing like Chelsea and grinding out ugly 1-0 victories then I’ll be ok.

On another note, you would have to feel sorry for Reading. After going down 4-2 to Liverpool during the week they’re shunted 7-4 by Portsmouth yesterday in an eleven-goal marathon of a game. Ouch.

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