LIVERPOOL 3 - WIGAN 2

Rafael Benitez will take his unbeaten side to Stamford Bridge next Sunday, admits he would prefer not to have to watch them mount the kind of late recovery that produced a 3-2 win over ten-man Wigan at Anfield. However, the Spaniard has paid tribute to the character of his Liverpool players after another second-half fightback kept them hot on the heels of Chelsea at the top of the Premier League.

Liverpool were twice behind to first-half goals from Egyptian striker Amr Zaki, his second an acrobatic volley into the Kop end. In the absence of the injured Fernando Torres, Dirk Kuyt joined Robbie Keane in attack and the Dutchman scored twice, including a late winner, to triple his league tally for the season. Another goal was scored by Alberto Riera. At the end, Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez saw his side maintain their unbeaten record this season, and stay in second place on goal difference from Chelsea.