Wigan 1-1 Liverpool

Liverpool were handed a reality check as they were held to a draw by a determined Wigan.

Fernando Torres latched on to a precise Steven Gerrard pass and clinically drove in a shot to put the Reds ahead.

But Wigan grew stronger as the game progressed and equalised when Hugo Rodallega lashed in a 10-yard effort.

Liverpool looked fragile but almost stole the points when Maxi Rodriguez found Gerrard, whose first-time shot came back off the crossbar.

Mohamed Diame also had a late chance for Wigan when his low shot was smartly saved by keeper Pepe Reina as he missed the chance to complete the home side's fightback with a winner.

The Latics ended the game the stronger against a Liverpool side who had gone from a team showing authority at the start to one which was left hanging on.

The Reds efforts in beating Chelsea on Sunday appeared to have taken an energy-sapping affect and the draw ended Liverpool's run of three consecutive league wins, while showing the delicate nature of their recovery as well as a lack of depth to their squad.

The Anfield club's manager Roy Hodgson had picked the same starting XI which beat Chelsea and his side began in the assured manner the confidence of their recent revival had given them.

Lucas Leiva had a 20-yard strike tipped over by Wigan keeper Ali Al-Habsi before the Gerrard-Torres combination again proved so lethal for the visitors.

Gerrard was allowed time and space with the ball in midfield and he used it to telling effect as he slid a ball through to Torres, who took a lovely first touch and held off Gary Caldwell before catching Al-Habsi off guard by taking his shot early to find the bottom corner of the net.

Liverpool were thriving as Wigan stood too far off them and a well-worked move ended with Gerrard, who had instigated the attack, lofting a left-foot shot over after Torres and Kuyt had helped create the opening.

However, the the combination of the Reds tiring and Wigan stepping up their efforts caused the Merseysiders several moments of anxiety.

Latics midfielder Hendry Thomas was biting into tackles and winger Charles N'Zogbia had the Reds defence on the backfoot as he took any chance he could to run at them.

And Liverpool were almost masters of their own downfall when N'Zogbia turned the ball in after Lucas had given it away only for his effort to be ruled out for offside for a pass to Rodallega in the build-up play.

Wigan were exerting an increasing pressure and they were rewarded as Liverpool buckled shortly into the second half.

N'Zogbia found Ronnie Stam and he whipped in a low cross which Reina could only palm to Rodallega, who lashed in a left-foot shot.

The Colombian striker almost added another after centre-back Martin Skrtel failed to intercept a through ball, but Rodallega's first touch let him down and Jamie Carragher cleared for Liverpool.

It was backs-to-the wall stuff for Liverpool as they held Wigan at bay, although the visitors almost snatched a goal when Rodriguez released Gerrard, whose shot came crashing off the crossbar.

It was an enthralling finale to the game and Reina helped his side earn a point as he kept out efforts from Diame and N'Zogbia but Wigan's stirring efforts should give them a belief to move away from the bottom three.

This story has been reproduced from today's media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club.