Watch Liverpool

This meets Rafael Benítez’s criteria of “no mistakes” in the race for the final Champions League spot. With Tottenham and Manchester City inactive this weekend, victory at the DW Stadium would take Liverpool into the top four and anything less will be viewed as an opportunity blown against a Wigan side without a win in nine games in all competitions. The hosts have relaid their awful pitch in time for this fixture and will be desperately hoping it suits Roberto Martínez’s intended style as they drift closer to the relegation zone. Glen Johnson is in contention for his first Liverpool appearance of the year. Andy Hunter

Venue DW Stadium, Monday 8pm

Tickets £28-30 (0871 66 33 552)

Last season Wigan 1 Liverpool 1

Referee A Marriner

This season’s matches 19 Y72, R6, 4.16 cards per game

Odds Wigan 5-1 Liverpool 8-13 Draw 3-1

Wigan

Subs from Pollitt, Stojkovic, Moses, Moreno, Boyce, Sinclair, Scotland, Amaya, Koumas, Gómez

Doubtful McCarthy (ankle), N’Zogbia (knee), Scharner (groin)

Injured Gohouri (back, 13 Mar)

Suspended None

Form guide LLDDDL

Disciplinary record Y44 R1

Leading scorer Rodallega 7

Liverpool

Subs from Cavalieri, Ngog, Kyrgiakos, Aquilani, Rodríguez, Kelly, Babel, Degen, Riera, Darby, Spearing, Ayala, Pacheco, El Zhar, Plessis

Doubtful Agger (knee), Johnson (knee)

Injured Aurélio (thigh, 28 Mar), Skrtel (foot, Apr)

Suspended None

Form guide WDLWWD

Disciplinary record Y44 R5

Leading scorer Torres 13

Match pointers

• Wigan have never beaten Liverpool in any competion, losing nine of their 11 meetings and drawing the other two

• Javier Mascherano and Hendry Thomas have both made a joint high 127 tackles in the league this season

• Wigan have conceded more headed goals (12) than any other side in the division

• Kirk Kuyt has score five goals in his last five league starts against Wigan

• Wigan have been caught offside on 36 occasions this season, fewer than any other top-flight team

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