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Played
December 21, 2011 8:00 PM GMT
The DW Stadium — Wigan
Referee:‬ M. Oliver‎
Attendance:‬ 19230‎
 
Top of the Match
Ali Al Habsi
Ali Al Habsi
Wigan Athletic
Ali Al Habsi
Ali Al Habsi
Wigan Athletic
Flop of the Match
Maxi Rodríguez
Maxi Rodríguez
Liverpool
Charlie Adam
Charlie Adam
Liverpool

Wigan Athletic 0-0 Liverpool: Second-half Charlie Adam penalty miss means Reds' frustrating week goes on

The Scot failed to convert a 50th minute penalty, leading to a nil-all draw and shared points between two clubs at opposite ends of the Premier League table

By Nathan Lowe

EPL - Wigan Athletic v Liverpool, Luis Suarez and Jose Enrique
Getty Images
A bad week for Liverpool didn't get any better on Wednseday after a penalty save from Wigan goalkeeper Ali-Al Habsi preserved a 0-0 draw for the home side at the DW Stadium.

Charlie Adam hit the spot kick after Luis Suarez saw his bicycle kick strike the arm of Gary Caldwell but the Omani shot-stopper kept it out with a fine stretching save.

Reds forward Suarez started the game after having been punished with an eight-match ban for the racial abuse of Manchester United defender Patrice Evra in October, and the Uruguayan and his team-mates were unable to break the deadlock in a sloppy, open match.

Liverpool registered the first shot on target after eight minutes when a constant spell of pressure ended with Al-Habsi parrying midfielder Jordan Henderson's one-timed shot around his near post.

The home side finally forced a save from Reds keeper Pepe Reina after 20 minutes when defender Maynor Figueora fired from range.

Mohamed Diame and Victor Moses then both drove long-range shots in the following minutes, but they fizzed wide and over.

Meanwhile, Al Habsi was continually called into action in the Wigan net. Dirk Kuyt, Glen Johnson, and Suarez were each denied by the Oman international in succession as the two teams exchanged chances.


Spot of bother | Adam missed a vital penalty as the Reds stumbled

The match was wide-open and both sides were counter-attacking with aplomb as Moses tackled and won the ball inside his own penalty box, taking the ball the course of the field before stinging Reina's hands with another far-sighted effort on 36 minutes.

Wigan had recovered from Liverpool's early aggression and control, but neither side were able to break the deadlock before the half-time interval.

Liverpool came out of the tunnel and began the second half as they had started the first. After five minutes of pressure, the visitors were awarded a spot-kick when a bicycle kick from Suarez struck defender Caldwell's outstretched arm.

Adam stepped up for the penalty, but Al-Habsi heroically dove left to save the pulled shot from the Scotsman with his trailing arm.

The Reds continually had the better share of the ball, also making better use of it than their hosts. However, Liverpool's forays into the Wigan box came to nothing, as did the Latics' occasional shots from range.

Latics manager Roberto Martinez then introduced striker Franco di Santo for Connor Sammon with the hope to snatch a late goal and pick up all three points

Dalgish made changes himself after a further 10 minutes of enterprising, but ultimately sloppy football between the two teams, bringing on Craig Bellamy and Jonjo Shelvey for Maxi Rodriguez and Kuyt, respectively.

Martinez issued his final two orders proceeding Dalglish's changes, adding striker Hugo Rodellaga and Ben Watson for Jordi Gomez and David Jones.

At this point, after almost 80 minutes, each side had at least 15 shots, but just a fraction were on target and it seemed inevitable than any first goal would also be the last.

Moses and Rodellaga combined near the death to fashion a close-range attempt, but the Colombian's header was deflected off the goal-line. Wigan threatened from the resulting corner but to no avail.

Even the introduction of Andy Carroll by Dalglish wasn't enough to steal three points away from the deserving hosts.

It was fitting that Al Habsi kicked the last ball of the game after his man-of-the-match performance yielded the goalless draw between the two clubs and an important point for the relegation-threatened Latics.

Liverpool host Blackburn on Boxing Day while Wigan travel to champions Manchester United.

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Wigan Athletic

26
Ali Al Habsi
Goalkeeper
51′
4.0
3
3.0
5
Gary Caldwell
Defender
66′
3.0
23
Ronnie Stam
Defender
3.0
31
Maynor Figueroa
Defender
3.0
4
James McCarthy
Midfielder
3.0
11
Victor Moses
Striker
3.5
19
David Jones
Midfielder
73′
3.0
21
Mohamed Diame
Midfielder
3.5
14
Jordi Gómez
Midfielder
74′
3.5
18
Conor Sammon
Striker
61′
3.0

Liverpool

3.0
25
José Reina Paez
Goalkeeper
3.0
2
Glen Johnson
Defender
79′
3.0
3
José Enrique
Defender
3.0
5
Daniel Agger
Defender
3.0
37
Martin Skrtel
Defender
3.0
11
Maxi Rodríguez
Midfielder
72′
3.5
14
Jordan Henderson
Midfielder
3.0
19
Stewart Downing
Midfielder
3.5
26
Charlie Adam
Midfielder
51′
3.5
7
Luis Suárez
Striker
87′
3.0
18
Dirk Kuyt
Midfielder
72′

Substitutes

12
Mike Pollitt
Goalkeeper
-
24
Adrián López
Defender
-
7
Crusat
Midfielder
-
8
Ben Watson
Midfielder
73′
3.0
16
James McArthur
Midfielder
-
9
3.0
20
3.0

Substitutes

-
32
Doni
Goalkeeper
-
16
-
23
Jamie Carragher
Defender
-
34
Martin Kelly
Defender
3.0
33
Jonjo Shelvey
Midfielder
72′
3.0
9
Andy Carroll
Striker
87′
3.0
39
Craig Bellamy
Striker
72′ 91′

Coach/Manager

Coach/Manager

-
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  • Goal
  • Own Goal
  • Penalty
  • Penalty Missed
  • Yellow Card
  • Assist
  • Penalty Save
  • Penalty Shootout Goal
  • Penalty Shootout Miss
  • Yellow Card / Red Card
  • Red Card
  • Substitution IN
  • Substitution OUT
  • Injury
  • Goal.com Rating
  • Goal.com Man of the Match
  • Goal.com Flop of the Match
  • Top & Flop Global Ranking
  • Fans' Man of the Match
  • Fans' Flop of the Match
Results
 
Top Scorers
Player   Goals Penalties
Robin van Persie Robin van Persie
Striker
Arsenal
30 2
Wayne Rooney Wayne Rooney
Striker
Manchester United
27 6
Kun Agüero Kun Agüero
Striker
Manchester City
23 3
Aiyegbeni Yakubu Aiyegbeni Yakubu
Striker
Blackburn
17 4
Emmanuel Adebayor Emmanuel Adebayor
Striker
Tottenham
17 3