Wednesday 2 January 2008 20:00 FA Barclays Premier League
"Liverpool"	1 - 1	"Wigan Athletic"
	(0-0)
GOAL
Torres 49		Bramble 80
Team: 25. Jose Reina, 17. Alvaro Arbeloa, 12. Fabio Aurelio, 3. Steve Finnan, 23. Jamie Carragher, 7. Harry Kewell, 8. Steven Gerrard (c), 14. Xabi Alonso, 16. Jermaine Pennant, 20. Javier Mascherano, 9. Fernando Torres. Subs: 30. Charles Itandje, 6. John Arne Riise, 11. Yossi Benayoun, 15. Peter Crouch, 18. Dirk Kuyt.		Team: 1. Chris Kirkland, 19. Titus Bramble, 25. Mario Melchiot, 2. Ryan Taylor, 18. Paul Scharner, 11. Michael Brown, 8. Kevin Kilbane, 16. Antonio Valencia, 14. Denny Landzaat, 23. Marcus Bent, 9. Emile Heskey. Subs: 12. Michael Pollitt, 17. Emmerson Boyce, 20. Salomon Olembe, 10. Jason Koumas, 6. Antoine Sibierski.
SUBSTITUTIONS
Kewell (Benayoun 75) Mascherano (Crouch 85), Pennant (Kuyt 87)		Taylor (Koumas 79), Heskey (Sibierski 85)
OFFICIALS & BOOKINGS
Referee: Steve Bennett (Kent)
Booked: Mascherano 78, Torres 90		Booked: Scharner 59
VENUE		MANAGERS
Anfield (capacity: 45,362) Attendance: 42,308		Rafael Benitez (Liverpool) Steve Bruce (Wigan A)

  Price: J3,00

 By Ian Doyle at Anfield, Daily Post

  The players link arms for a minute's silence in memory of long-serving Reds secretary Sheila Walsh, who died on Monday (Photo: BBC)

  But the goal finally comes for Liverpool when Fernando Torres gets on the end of Steve Finnan's pass into the box (Photo: BBC)

  Steven Gerrard tries to provide the inspiration for Liverpool as they toil away in the first half (Photo: BBC)

  LIVERPOOL 1-1 WIGAN: THE REPORT

  Liverpool's title hopes have been dealt a crushing blow with a 1-1 draw at Anfield which saw Wigan gain their first ever point against one of the so-called big four.

  Fernando Torres looked as if he'd given the Reds a much-needed win with a well-worked goal at the Kop end on 49 minutes.

  Anfield was silenced, however, when Titus Bramble capitalised on poor defending to level the scores with 10 minutes remaining.

  The result, combined with Man City's victory in Newcastle, leaves Liverpool in fifth spot, 12 points off the top of the table with just under half of the season remaining.

  Rafa Benitez deployed a 4-1-4-1 formation against a side who'd never gained so much as a point from their opponents, with Javier Mascherano the lone midfield ranger in front of a defence which again included Alvaro Arbeloa at its heart.

  Xabi Alonso and Steven Gerrard were left to pull the strings in those holes we hear so much about whenever a lesser side is in town. All the while Jermaine Pennant - a surprise inclusion after a lengthy lay off with a stress fracture - and Harry Kewell hugged the wings deep inside the Wigan half.

  The system produced some pretty football in patches early on, Torres and Alonso in particular parading the talents which make the Kop sing their name.

  Talking of the Kop, the famous stand seemed to have found its voice after a couple of quiet months. They were singing to keep warm, their cheeks stung by the Siberian winds Michael Fish had warned us about. Maybe RTK should outlaw gloves and longjohns instead of jester hats.

  So, the Kop in fine voice and the Reds showing some promising touches. All we needed now was a goal.

  Both sides carved out decent chances. Ryan Taylor and Michael Brown firing narrowly wide from distance for the visitors, while at the Anfield Road End Gerrard and Mascherano might both have done better after assists from the Torres.

  The Spaniard had shown them how it was done after only 11 minutes, hitting the net after being put through by Kewell only to be denied by the offside flag.

  A breakthrough seemed less and less likely as the first half wore on, and the passing became less fluent from the home side. Torres did come close on 41 minutes, mind, with a firm header just over from Alonso's inswinging free-kick.

  Wigan had managed to get a grip on the Reds' system by the time the whistle blew for the end of the first half. How long before the Anfield faithful's tunefulness would become warped by groans of frustration?

  It seemed as though the question was rendered academic within three minutes of the restart with a goal which went something like this: Torres to Gerrard, Gerrard to Steve Finnan, Steve Finnan to Torres - WHAM.

  Sixteen goals now for the Spaniard half way through his debut season in England. Can anyone remember Didier Drogba or Thierry Henry making such an impact in their transitional months? Certainly not.

  Still, it's a team game, and Torres and his teammates still had work to do.

  Gerrard nearly doubled the advantage on 62 minutes with a 30-yard whack which Chris Kirkland, on his first return to Anfield, could only parry. Titus Bramble hooked it from under the bar before Torres could get there. An escape.

  It wasn't vintage Liverpool by any means, but openings were coming and, at the other end, Pepe Reina had yet to get his gloves dirty.

  Kewell, searching for his first Liverpool goal since his latest return from injury, drifted one just over from 25 yards on 74 minutes in what was his last piece of action. Enter Yossi Benayoun.

  But before the little Israeli had chance to weave some of his magic, Anfield was stunned. By Titus Bramble.

  The equaliser came on 80 minutes when Gerrard cleared a free-kick to the edge of the box where the much-maligned defender was positioned to fire beyond Reina.

  Cue aforementioned groans of frustration. 'Attack, attack, attack' roared the Kop, but even with the double introduction of Dirk Kuyt and Peter Crouch, it was too late.

  The gap to Arsenal now stands at 12 points, and though the Reds have a game in hand, it's going to take an almighty push if the 18-year wait is going to end.

  Teams

  Liverpool (4-3-3): Reina, Aurelio, Carragher, Arbeloa, Finnan, Kewell, Alonso, Mascherano, Pennant, Gerrard (captain), Torres. Subs - Riise, Itandje, Kuyt, Benayoun, Crouch.

  Wigan Athletic (4-4-2): Kirkland, Kilbane, Bramble, Melchiot (captain), Taylor, Scharner, Valencia, Brown, Landzaat, Heskey, Bent. Subs - Boyce, Olembe, Koumas, Sibierski, Pollitt.

  Referee: Steve Bennett

  Conditions: Freezing and windy

  Attendance: 42,3087

  Liverpoolfc.tv Man-of-the-Match: Fernando Torres

  Breakdown

20:02 GMT : Match Starts
1 min : Liverpool kick-off attacking the Anfield Road end
2 mins : A nice ovation for former Reds Chris Kirkland and Emile Heskey prior to kick-off
3 mins : Nice to see Pennant back in action and he almost made an immediate impact but his delightful volleyed throughball was cut out just as Gerrard looked set to break clear
5 mins : It's rather cold at Anfield tonight - just the type of weather Fabio Aurelio was looking forward to when he joined us!
6 mins : First real moment of goal action and it was Wigan who threatened but Reina was out well to cut out the danger with Marcus Bent lurking
7 mins : Not much happening at the moment so it's a good time to wish you all a belated Happy New Year
9 mins : Liverpool have enjoyed some nice touches without creating anything of note as of yet
11 mins : Torres powers into the box and it takes three to stop him. Corner to Liverpool
13 mins : A period of home pressure ends with a late flag robbing Torres of the opening goal
14 mins : Prior to kick-off we were 13 points behind Arsenal so we need to start the New Year with a win
16 mins : Torres races clear after a mistake by Bramble but he is harshly penalised for a foul on Scharner
17 mins : Heskey earns Wigan their first corner and it nearly results in a goal with Michael Brown firing a superb volley inches wide of Reina's right-hand post
20 mins : A nice move down the left involving Alonso, Kewell and Aurelio ends with the Aussie winger having a shot well blocked in the penalty area
21 mins : A one-two involving Torres and Mascherano results in our first effort on target but Kirkland is out to block what would have been Javier's first goal for the Reds
24 mins : Former Tranmere man Ryan Taylor flashes a swerving free-kick just past Reina's far post as Wigan enjoy another good moment in front of the Kop
26 mins : A clever ball from Torres finds Gerrard in the box but the skipper fires his shot straight at Kirkland
27 mins : Michael Brown is down for Wigan
28 mins : He appeared to fall awkwardly after jumping for a header with Alonso. He's back up now and looks okay
29 mins : The Reds are defending against a fierce wind in the first-half and the visitors are trying to use it as much as possible with a number of high balls towards Heskey and Bent
31 mins : There have been one or two careless passes for Liverpool and the crowd are beginning to get frustrated
32 mins : Another good opportunity is wasted as Aurelio delivers a free-kick straight into the grateful arms of Kirkland
35 mins : A good run and cross from Pennant ends with Kirkland rising well to claim the ball
36 mins : We could really do with a goal to warm us up
38 mins : An enterprising run from Valencia ends with the wide man hammering his shot into the Kop
40 mins : To their credit Wigan have defended well so far and have contributed to an end-to-end first-half
41 mins : Ryan Taylor is lucky to escape a booking after a foul on Finnan
42 mins : From the free-kick Torres guides a header just over the bar
44 mins : Steve Bruce led Birmingham to a 0-0 draw here earlier in the season and he'll no doubt be very pleased with his new side's display tonight
45 mins : Gerrard fires a low effort just wide as half-time approaches
45 mins : There will be a minimum of two minutes added time
45 mins : There will be a minimum of two minutes added time
20:49 GMT : Half Time Reached
21:06 GMT : Second Half Begins
46 mins : Wigan kick-off defending the Kop end
48 mins : Aurelio's corner from the right is met by Gerrard at the near post but the insiprational number eight's flick does not come off on this occasion
50 mins : GOAL! Fernando Torres:
52 mins : That's warmed us all up!
53 mins : Aurelio fires an effort wide from the right hand edge of the area after a short corner was cleared back into his path
56 mins : A Wigan free-kick only leads to a lightning break from Liverpool but Kewell cannot make the most of it and is muscled out of it just outside the penalty area
57 mins : The attendance here is 42,308
59 mins : First Booking: Paul Scharner:
60 mins : Torres is dragged to the floor by Brown. Free-kick to LFC
61 mins : Could be a chance here
62 mins : Steive G lets rip and Bramble is on hand to clear from under the crossbar after Kirkland could only parry it back into the dangerzone
64 mins : Wigan are attempting to push forward but it is just leaving space for Liverpool to break into to. Hopefully it will lead to more goals...
65 mins : A last-ditch challenge by Scharner denies Torres of what would have surely been his second
66 mins : And seconds later Kirkland has to be at his best to keep out Gerrard after he arrived late in the area to slide a low effort goalwards
69 mins : It's all Liverpool now as Kewell flashes an effort wide from a tight angle
69 mins : Wigan enjoy a brief moment of respite but Taylor's left foot strike fails to trouble Reina from 18 yards
73 mins : It's gone a bit scrappy all of a sudden and Rafa must have noticed because Benayoun is getting stripped for action
74 mins : Substitution: Yossi Benayoun for Harry Kewell:
76 mins : Ryan Taylor is given a stern talking to by Steve Bennett after a crunching tackle on Pennant
79 mins : First Booking: Javier Mascherano:
79 mins : Substitution: Jason Koumas for Ryan Taylor:
80 mins : GOAL! Titus Bramble:
82 mins : Was that Wigan's first real effort of the half? The crowd is stunned
84 mins : Substitution: Peter Crouch for Javier Mascherano:
84 mins : Substitution: Antoine Sibierski for Emile Heskey:
87 mins : Substitution: Dirk Kuyt for Jermaine Pennant:
87 mins : Chants of 'Attack, Attack' can be heard from the Kop
88 mins : Wigan supporters respond with 'We are staying up'
88 mins : Rafa is out of the dugout and one word sums up his expression...frustration
90 mins : Come on Reds one last push
90 mins : There will be a minimum of three minutes added time.
90 mins : A great ball in from Kuyt from the right but no-one was there to attack it at the far post
90 mins : First Booking: Fernando Torres:
21:54 GMT : Match Over

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