Report by SJG

FRIENDLY

WIGAN ATHLETIC vs LIVERPOOL XI

12^th July 2022

LATICS HIT POOL FOR SIX

Latics make it three wins out of three in pre-season following an emphatic 6-0 victory against a Liverpool XI.

On a pleasing evening at the DW Stadium, goals from Callum Lang, Tendayi Darikwa, Tom Pearce, James Carragher, Stephen Humphrys and Jack Whatmough all found the target as Latics made it three wins from three in pre-season. 

As with all pre-season friendlies, there were plenty of changes from the last fixture, with Leam Richardson making six changes to the side that started against Bolton.

Despite the changes, it was Latics who made the stronger start to the match, drawing the first save of the game within eight minutes. A cross from the right-hand side found Lang inside the Liverpool box whose shot forced a good save from Liverpool keeper Owen Hughes.

In a bright start from Richardson's side, the hosts continued to carve out early opportunities. In the 16^th minute, Darikwa advanced towards the Liverpool back line but his effort from range lacked the power to truly test Hughes who comfortably collected his low drive.

It wasn’t all Latics however, with Musialowski firing wide after being set up by Bearne who showed good feet to lose his marker and find his teammate at the edge of the area. It began a smart spell of possession for Liverpool who were neatly playing the ball from back to front but struggled to carve open any clear chances against a resilient Latics defence.

In the 29^th minute, Latics tested Hughes again. Darikwa’s cross from the right fell loose to Humphrys whose shot on the spin was enough to beat his marker but not enough to beat Hughes who did well to hold his low effort.

Eventually, Latics were rewarded for their early chances as they found the opener in the 33^rd minute. Pearce was fouled just inside the Latics half but thanks to a good advantage from the referee, the hosts were able to spring an electric counter-attack. The ball was spread to Aasgaard on the left who drove at the Liverpool back line before finding Humphrys who slid the ball across the six-yard box to LANG who tapped home at the far post to give Latics the lead.

It was the goal the game needed and it led to a succession of chances for the home side. Latics again worked the ball down the left and found Lang at the far post, but this time, his shot cannoned off the post and behind for a Liverpool goal kick

It would only momentarily stop Latics from adding a second, as a minute later, they did double their lead. Pearce whipped an excellent cross into DARIKWA who superbly volleyed the ball into the roof of the Liverpool net from close range. Pearce then nearly turned provider again with his free-kick from the right-hand side finding Lang but his volley was well held by Hughes.

Despite the Latics’ pressure, it was Liverpool who crafted the final chance of the half with Stephenson’s driven strike from the edge of the box requiring a superb fingertip save from Jones who tipped the defender’s strike over the bar.

Half Time; Wigan Athletic 2-0 Liverpool.

Latics made a host of changes at half-time with Amos, Bennett, Carragher, Whatmough, McGrath, Power, Smith, Sze and Wyke replacing Jones, Darikwa, Tilt, Kerr, Shinnie, Naylor, Lang, Keane and Aasgaard for the second half.

Latics again started the half well and had their third goal after just three minutes. A cross from the right-hand side found PEARCE whose low drive found the bottom left corner of the Liverpool net to give Pearce the goal his performance deserved.

Latics added another goal in the 51^st minute with Power’s excellent corner finding CARRAGHER who volleyed the ball beyond Hughes for the fourth goal of the evening.

The goals continued to come for Latics and HUMPHRYS scored their fifth goal in the 55^th minute. Humphrys drove at the Liverpool defence and took aim from 20 yards out with his low drive finding the bottom left corner.

After the flurry of second-half goals, the game began to settle down with Latics dictating the tempo of the game.

Latics then crafted their sixth goal in the 69^th minute with Pearce’s free-kick from the left-hand side found WHATMOUGH who powerfully planted his header beyond Hughes and into the back of the net.

Latics nearly had a seventh in the 81^st minute when the Liverpool keeper misjudged the flight of the ball allowing Wyke a free header, but his effort went narrowly over the Liverpool bar.

It was a good workout for Latics who will take plenty of confidence into their next pre-season fixture when they travel to face Oldham Athletic at Boundary Park on Saturday.

Full Time; Wigan Athletic 6-0 Liverpool.

Scorers; Lang (33), Darikwa (36), Pearce (48), Carragher (51), Humphrys (55), Whatmough (69);

Attendance; 1,900

WIGAN (4-2-3-1) -- Jones; Darikwa, Tilt, Kerr, Pearce; Shinnie, Naylor; Humphrys, Lang, Aasgaard; Keane; Subs; Amos (for Jones), Bennett (for Darikwa), Whatmough (for Tilt), Carragher (for Kerr), McGrath (for Shinnie), Robinson (for Pearce), Power (for Naylor), S. Smith (for Aasgaard), Sze (for Keane), Wyke (for Lang), Hughes (for Humphrys);

LIVERPOOL (4-4-2) – Hughes; Stephenson (wdn 71), Corness, Trialist, Miles (wdn 59), Spearing (wdn 59), Bearne, Cain, Stewart (wdn 65) , Cannonier, Musialowski (wdn71); Subs; Hewitson (G); O’ Rourke, McConnell, Pilling, Lucky, Trialist, Blair;

Referee; Not Known