Wigan 1-1 Liverpool

Elation on Sunday, frustration Wednesday. Just when you think the smile has returned to Liverpool's season, along comes a hiccup to hasten the return of the scowls.

Roy Hodgson might have been over the moon following Liverpool's unexpected toppling of Chelsea last weekend but, ever the pragmatist, he suggested it would be unwise to get too carried away by that giddy success.

Now we can see why. What should have been a breeze at Wigan Athletic last night, particularly after the flying start Liverpool made, turned into a war of attrition, one that Hodgson was relieved ended with his side escaping with a point.

Reading Hodgson's emotions in the immediate aftermath of a game is not one of life's more difficult tasks and, as he tried to explain how Liverpool had failed to notch their fourth Premier League win in a row, it was evident he was seething.

Not unreasonably, he expected better. So, too, did the 5,000 Reds who had made the short hop up the M58, only to be left numb as Liverpool lost their way and were thankful that several key contributions at the back ensured their world did not cave in. Perhaps today he will be able to take a more considered view; drawing 1-1 was not catastrophic and it means they are only a point off fifth - the six match unbeaten run also remains intact.

Yet Hodgson's ire stems from the fact that Liverpool were so superior in the first quarter of this game, that Fernando Torres' opener - his first strike away from Anfield since March - was the least they deserved.

The last time he visited this particular ground, Torres had what could kindly be described as an erratic night during a team performance that left supporters tearing their hair out and howling in derision - on three occasions he fluffed the chances he normally snaffles with his eyes shut.

Whether that was on his mind beforehand, as he went through his pre-match routine of sitting on his haunches and staring intently at the opposition goal, only he will know but the manner in which he started suggested Torres was eager to right that wrong.

Prowling across the Wigan defence and causing palpitations among those who had the onerous task of keeping him in check - Antolin Alcaraz was clearly a bag of nerves - it was no surprise when Torres opened the scoring on eight minutes.

Wigan had only themselves to blame. Gerrard was given too much time in central area before rolling an inch-perfect ball into Torres; once he turned and started to motor towards Ali Al Habsi's goal, you knew what would happen next.

There was nothing remotely easy about the chance but that is precisely what Torres made it look, clipping his shot beyond Wigan's keeper in the manner of a striker at the top of his game - this was much more like it.

What's more, his growing confidence was mirrored by his team-mates and had Gerrard kept a shot down on 16 minutes after a terrific moving involving him, Torres and Dirk Kuyt, Liverpool would not only have had a contender for goal of the season, they would have been out of sight.

Hodgson hopped, skipped and jumped in frustration that Gerrard did not get the reward he deserved but, the longer the half progressed, he was hopping in a different kind of frustration as Liverpool allowed the vice-like grip they had on the contest to loosen.

Sloppy in possession, letting their concentration lapse, Liverpool curiously ended the first period on the back foot. Baffling. When Hodgson's men clicked, it was clear to see they were several notches superior to Wigan but without the right application, it meant nothing.

This, clearly, is an area where Liverpool must improve. It is all very well producing performances out of the blue against Chelsea, following up in games where glamour is nowhere to be seen is of even more importance.

Hodgson, undoubtedly, would have preached such a message during the interval but, to every Liverpudlian's deep frustration, the message was not heeded as they started the second period in the same sluggish fashion they ended the first.

It came as no surprise, then, when Hugo Rodallega restored parity on 52 minutes, smashing his effort past Pepe Reina after Liverpool's keeper had only been able to divert Ronnie Stam's wicked cross into the Colombian's path.

Having marvelled at the energy and enthusiasm they put into dismantling Chelsea, it was alarming to see Liverpool legs turn to jelly and some in Red appeared as if they were running through treacle wearing workmen's boots.

Suddenly the old failings that were apparent for much of September and October started to return; dropping too deep, reacting rather showing initiative and letting the opposition set the pace, from a position of confidence they looked increasingly vulnerable.

Hodgson attempted to stem the Blue and White tide that was threatening to flood Liverpool by introducing Christian Poulsen for the weary Dirk Kuyt but while the move was understandable, it was greeted with dismay by the visiting section.

In all fairness, though, that switch did make a difference - Wigan no longer had it all their own way in the middle of the pitch and Liverpool were able to recover their poise, so much so that six minutes after he had been pitched in to battle, the Reds had a chance to win the game.

Maxi Rodriguez's pass sent Gerrard skipping through and it looked for all the world that he would apply the finish but, cruelly, the shot that the captain smashed past Al Habsi was too precise and it cannoned off the underside of the crossbar before bouncing out to safety.

On another day, that would have ended up nestling in the net but not this time. Instead elation turned to frustration - those emotions needs switching back when they travel to Stoke on Saturday.

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