Liverpool travel to the JJB Stadium for a Saturday, 3pm kick off against Paul Jewell’s Wigan Athletic. Again, the Reds are looking for their first away win of the season, and their first away goal since the opening day at Sheffield United back in August.
There will be some familiar faces in opposition, with goalkeeper Chris Kirkland having signed permanently for the Latics after a succesful early loan period this season, he has played every minute for Wigan in the Premiership so far this season. And up front will be former forward Emile Heskey, who on Friday admitted he would liked to have worked under Rafa Benitez.
The former Leicester striker was sold by Gerard Houllier a few weeks before Benitez arrived, and with Benitez transforming the fortunes of the likes of Biscan, Traore and Kewell in his first season, who knows what he could have done with Heskey – a man, who scored over 20 goals for Liverpool in his first season but failed to follow through to the next campaign.
For Liverpool, the 0-0 draw with Portsmouth was the first time this season they had failed to score at Anfield – a massive contrast to their appauling away form. Their last away game saw them dominate against Middlesbrough but fail to break them down. Manager Rafa Benitez is hoping Xabi Alonso is passed fit to return to the team and partner Stevie Gerrard in the middle, allowing Carragher to drop back into defence and partner either Agger or Hyypia.
Up front, it is widely speculated Craig Bellamy will get a chance to offer something new in attack after his court trial – which he was found not guilty in – and supply some much needed pace and direction to the front line. That is more than likely to mean either Crouch or Kuyt dropping out, with Crouch the more likely.
Elsewhere in the Premiership this weekend, there’s the North London derby with Spurs and Arsenal going head to head at the Emirates Stadium. League leaders Man United travel to Boro, Chelsea are not in action.
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