
vs
Liverpool v WiganLiverpool will have both Craig Bellamy and Xabi Alonso back in their squad. Bellamy has shaken off a knee injury which kept him out for two games, while Alonso missed the midweek win over Middlesbrough with a thigh strain.
Peter CROUCH is Liverpool's top scorer with 18 goals. Dirk KUYT is the club's leading marksman in the Premiership with 10.
Wigan winger Lee McCulloch has severe bruising on his foot and is a serious doubt and defender David Unsworth is struggling with a groin strain. Midfielder Antonio Valencia serves the second game of a three-match ban and Chris Kirkland and Fitz Hall are out.
Emile HESKEY is Wigan's top scorer with nine goals - all in the Premiership.
Liverpool : Reina, Finnan, Arbeloa, Carragher, Hyypia, Agger, Riise, Pennant, Gerrard, Alonso, Sissoko, Mascherano, Zenden, Bellamy, Crouch, Fowler, Kuyt, Dudek, Gonzalez.
Wigan : Filan, Granqvist, Jackson, De Zeeuw, Camara, Kilbane, Heskey, McCulloch, Johansson, Landzaat, Aghahowa, Scharner, Skoko, Taylor, Folan, Cywka, Cotterill, Baines, Boyce, Unsworth, Pollitt.
REFEREEMike Riley (Leeds, Yorkshire)
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Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez:"We need to beat Wigan to make sure of the Champions League next season. "The players have to keep going, keep winning and they know they are trying to keep their position in the team. "I will field a strong side against Wigan, it is important we do that and win before we go to Chelsea. "But Wigan work so hard, their manager was watching our win over Middlesbrough on Wednesday, so I expect them to be well prepared and to have a plan against us."
Wigan manager Paul Jewell on Anfield:"It's one of those special theatres of football, one of the best places to play and to watch, just like Highbury. Anfield will always be a special place for me. It's where I watched matches as a kid. "Obviously, the most important thing is that it's not about me, it's about us trying to nick a result against Liverpool. "It's a very difficult place to go, but a great place to go and play football - I just wish I was playing."
LAST SEASON'S CORRESPONDING GAME Liverpool 3-0 Wigan Athletic
3 December 2005 - Ref: Uriah Rennie
Liverpool scorers: Pollitt 19 og, Crouch 42, Luis Garcia 70
THIS SEASON'S REVERSE FIXTUREWigan Athletic 0-4 Liverpool
2 December 2006 - Ref: Mike Riley
Liverpool scorers: Bellamy 9, 26, Kuyt 40, McCulloch 45 og
HEAD TO HEAD TOTALS at Liverpool only
League*: Liverpool 1 win, Wigan 0, Draws 0
Prem: Liverpool 1 win, Wigan 0, Draws 0
* includes Premiership