Italian midfielder Alberto Aquilani looks set for his long-awaited full debut in the Premier League as Liverpool to rebuild their season which is fast turning into a disaster. A sixth league defeat of the campaign at the hands of Arsenal at the weekend followed an ignominious Champions League exit last week but Rafa Benitez will attempt to seek solace in the fact Wigan have never beaten the Reds before.

Quick Check

Liverpool

  • Alberto Aquilani could finally start his first Premier League game.
  • Midfield colleague Albert Riera is hoping to recover from a hamstring strain.
  • Liverpool have won eight of the ten meetings between the two clubs.
  • Ryan Babel is struggling to overcome an ankle injury.
  • Liverpool have won only three of their last 15 games in all competitions.
  • The Reds have lost six matches in the Premier League this season.

Wigan Athletic

  • Midfielder Hendry Thomas is available after a one-match ban.
  • Defender Emmerson Boyce is expected to recover from a head injury in time.
  • Wigan have kept only two clean sheets in the last 15 matches.
  • Roberto Martinez’s side have never beaten Liverpool in ten meetings.
  • The Latics have conceded 24 goals in their last seven league games and not kept a clean sheet in any of them.

Expert Advice

A season of doom and gloom shows few signs of improving for Liverpool and their beleaguered manager but least Rafa Benitez’s now has the luxury of selecting from almost a full complement of players. Precious little seems to have gone right for the Reds since the opening day but, with Torres, Gerrard and Aquilani now out of the treatment room, results are expected to improve over the coming months. Wigan gained a creditable draw at Stoke at the weekend and they were unlucky not to win. But the Latics have been inconsistent at best on the road and they still have that major hurdle of a first-ever victory against Liverpool to negotiate. With this in mind, a home win by two goals appears a sound bet at Betsson’s price of 1.87.

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