Liverpool 1 Wigan 2:Wigan's survival hopes received an unexpected boost as they recorded their first victory at Anfield to beat a flailing - and rapidly failing - Liverpool.
Much like last season, when they escaped relegation on the final day of the season, Roberto Martinez’s side appear to be hitting form at exactly the right time.
They have lost just once in their last seven matches and a first win at Anfield ensured they remain well in the battle to stay up as they are only a point from safety.
The statistics for Liverpool are damning; five defeats in the last six Premier League matches - 10 losses for the season - and only two wins in 2012 do not make happy reading for manager Kenny Dalglish.
He is already facing some difficult questions and had he not already won the Carling Cup and progressed to the semi-final of the FA Cup the situation would be even more uncomfortable for the Scot.
Even a late debut for 17-year-old reserves prodigy Raheem Sterling could not lift the gathering gloom at Anfield.
As poor as Liverpool were credit must go to Wigan who stuck to their task and, unlike in recent weeks when they have been unable to hold on to good positions, they bounced back from Luis Suarez’s equaliser to claim a vital victory.
Shaun Maloney’s penalty gave the visitors a half-time lead and despite being pegged back just two minutes after the break by the Uruguay international’s 12th of the season, Gary Caldwell secured Wigan’s first win at Anfield just past the hour.
