After two derbies in six days, Liverpool return to League action after the FA Cup clash with a tricky trip to Steve Bruce’s Wigan.
Bruce has been somewhat of a nemesis for Rafa Benitez in the four seasons since Benitez took over at Anfield - picking up a draw at Anfield last season and several victories as Birmingham boss. This fixture earlier in the season saw Liverpool dramatically comeback to win 3-2 after Amir Zaki had scored twice. Zaki is without a goal this year while Wigan have lost their last two matches 1-0 (Man City and Manchester United. Wigan lost midfielder Wilson Palacios to Spurs earlier in the transfer window and former Red Emile Heskey left for Villa last week. They have signed Mido on loan from Middlesbrough to replace Heskey and he could make his debut at the JJB on Wednesday. Liverpool go into the game on the back of consecutive 1-1 draws with Everton. Rafa Benitez has a full squad to choose from and must decide whether to bring striker Robbie Keane back into the squad or to stick with the Gerrard-Torres partnership which combined to good effect for the equaliser on Sunday. With United playing the night before, Liverpool could go into the game under huge pressure to win. LFC
