Striker Robbie Fowler will make his first start for Liverpool after returning to the club on a short-term contract last month, as the European champions look to arrest a worrying slide against Wigan at the JJB Stadium.
With Peter Crouch out with a heel injury, manager Rafael Benitez paired Fowler in attack with Fernando Morientes, dropping Djibril Cisse to the bench.
Skipper Steven Gerrard returns after missing the 2-0 midweek loss at Charlton with a knee injury, while John Arne Riise and Dietmar Hamann were also restored to the starting line-up.
With Henri Camara not returning from African Nations Cup duty in time, Jason Roberts suspended, David Connolly and Lee McCulloch injured, and on-loan Neil Mellor ineligible to face Liverpool, Wigan boss Paul Jewell had few forward options.
Paul Scharner playing in behind Andreas Johansson seemed the choice, with Matt Jackson taking over from Pascal Chimbonda at right-back with the Frenchman serving a one-match suspension.
Wigan: Pollitt, Jackson, Henchoz, De Zeeuw, Ziegler, Teale, Bullard, Kavanagh, Thompson, Scharner, Johansson. Subs: Filan, Mahon, Francis, Baines, Joyce.
Liverpool: Dudek, Finnan, Carragher, Hyypia, Riise, Gerrard, Alonso, Hamann, Kewell, Morientes, Fowler. Subs: Kromkamp, Cisse, Carson, Traore, Sissoko.
Referee: R Styles (Hampshire)
