Kuyt's Brace Sink Wigan

Football is a beautiful game but it is also a cruel game.

Try telling Wigan this and they will agree fully.

For the second successive match, Liverpool come back from the dead to win 3-2 with the opposition having a man sent off. Conincidentally, the two players were sent off with a reckless tackle on Alonso when Liverpool was 2-1 down.

With Chelsea hammering Boro in the earlier match, Liverpool knew that they cannot afford to slip up. Based on past record, Rafa has not beaten Steve Bruce's side in the BPL.

Wigan started the match without Heskey upfront. The Latics started the match brightly passing the ball well and quick to close in on Liverpool players. Typical of Steve Bruce's team, Wigan was well orgainzed and compact. Liverpool were not allow to settle down and slow to pick up the loose ball. Perhaps the international game took some sting off the players.



The unthinkable happened in the 29th minute, Agger made a mess of Reina pass. The Dane first touch was heavy and he tried to dribble past Zaki. Unfortunately, the Egyptian robbed Agger of the ball and place the ball past Reina. 0-1 to Wigan.

Agger made amend of his howler 8 minutes later. He took the ball from his own half and exchanged passes with Dossena who released Agger on the bye line. Kuyt was there and hit home Agger's cross for Liverpool equalizer.

Kuty nearly put Liverpool in the lead but Kirkland palmed the ball onto the post. Against the run of play, Wigan struck back with the last kick of the first half.

Kapo's cross went over Arbeloa's head and Zaki executed a spectaculsr scissor kick past the diving Reina. Anfield was stunned.

Liverpool showed more urgency in the second half. The Reds were creating more chances. Antonio Valencia was booked for disrupting a free kick. From the resulting free kick, Gerrard went agonisingly close. Valencia was sent off for his second bookable offence. The advantage is on Liverpool.

Dossena was replaced by El Zhar who made an instant impact. His cross was dummied by Gerrard. The ball laid nicely to Rierawho struck sweetly into the net. Game on. Liverpool sense a victory and went for the kill.

Benayoun replaced Arbeloa. Rafa decide to go for a win having taken out two full back. The gamble paid off when Kuyt scissor kick bounced off the box and Kirkland pushed the ball onto the post and into the net. 3-2 to Liverpool. Anfield erupted.

For the neutral, it was an entertainment match of football. For Liverpool fans, it was of mixed feelings. As a fan of Liverpool, I have to endure frustration, anguish and disbelief after the first half. The feeling of relieved after it was 2-2. Then moment of esctasy when Kuyt made in 3-2.

This result meant that Liverpool goes to Stamford Bridge next weekend for the top of the table clash. If Liverpool can get something from that game, this just might be Liverpool season.

Having said that, the rear guard for this Liverpool this season has been less impressive. With the departure of Riise and Finnan, Liverpool looked unsettled in defence. They have concede 4 goals in their last 2 games.

Dossena and Arbeloa have not impressed me. Dagen has been injury prone. Liverpool wil need to be resilent in their defence next week otherwise they will be punished by Chelsea ruthless attack.