It was Wigan this evening but it could easily have been Portsmouth or Sunderland or any other team that Liverpool have faced this season and simply failed to turn up. In fact, it feels as if Liverpool have failed to turn up this whole season. For this was another game of which the players should be ashamed. The ease with which Wigan defended their lead - and could easily have built on it - where Chris Kirkland didn't have one save to make all evening summarises just how woeful Liverpool were.

Good Game
Not at fault with the goal, Pepe Reina didn't have a lot to do but got on with his job well particularly when he blocked N'Zogbia who was through on goal. A lot has been said and written about Jamie Carragher these past couple of days but his commitment remains undiminished and he had a good game at the back. That there was Sotirios Kyrgiakos alongisde him helped as the Greek's massive physical presence and his experience at reading the flow of the game cut off a number Wigan's chances before they could really come to anything. Plus another goal-line clearance that kepy Liverpool in the game. My man of the match.

Emiliano Insua was initially shaky but as the game wore on he started getting more opportunities to move forward which is where he excells and put in some good crosses into the box. On the other side of the pitch there was Javier Mascherano who once again ably filled in at right back. There was nothing spectacular from him but he did his job well.

Of all the midfielders Lucas Leiva was the only one having his usual solid game and perhaps he was the least deserving of all to be substituted.

Bad Game
Where does one start? Steven Gerrard and Dirk Kuyt had difficulty in identifying who was on their team given the number of misplaced passes they disappeared. Kuyt in particularly probably had his worst game in a Liverpool shirt and the backpass that led to the Wigan goal was simply criminal.


Fernando Torres tried hard but clearly he isn't yet match fit. Yossi Benayoun started well and he is one player who occasionally had Wigan on the back-foot. He then faded away and it was no surprise to see him being taken off. Maxi Rodriguez didn't start badly but he too fell in to the general malaise of mis-placing passes. With Kuyt often drifting to the right side of midfield, the two kept getting in each other's way which didn't help Maxi who never really seemed to fully grasp where he was supposed to be playing or which runs to make.

Substitutes
His was a welcome return but Glen Johnson didn't really do anything special after coming on. Not the same can be said of Alberto Aquilani who sprayed around the passes when he was given a chance and overall hinted at just how good he can be. Why Benitez decided to wait until the final ten minutes were well under way before getting Ryan Babbel, especialy with Kuyt having the sort of game he was having, only he can tell.