Liverpool in tough Wigan test, looking to forget woes
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AFP
Oluşturulma Tarihi: Ocak 28, 2009 00:00
WIGAN, England - Liverpool travels to Wigan hoping to get its Premier League title challenge back on track tonight but with off-field issues continuing to overshadow the Merseysiders' quest for trophies.
Sunday's 1-1 FA Cup draw with Everton, played out against the back-drop of co-owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett seeking further investment, once again highlighted the issue of Robbie Keane's position at Anfield. The striker is reported to have refused to attend the game after being told he would not be included in the 18-man squad.
His 20.3 million-pound pre-season arrival from Tottenham was the second biggest fee in Liverpool's history but the Republic of Ireland international's impact has been limited and manager Rafael Benitez's patience looks to be wearing thin. Keane, 28, has started just one Premier League game since the turn of the year.
There is also continued uncertainty about Dirk Kuyt, who is seen as a key man by Benitez but is out of contract at the end of next season, as well as Daniel Agger.
Contract expiry
The Dane's current deal also expires in the summer of 2010 and despite the defender publicly denying he could be on his way to AC Milan, he has revealed that Reds officials are yet to start negotiations to keep him at Anfield.
"The ball is with Liverpool," Agger said. "I haven't heard a sound from the club since the beginning of November. There is no reason to set the expectations too high. To be honest, I have no idea if they want to sign a new deal."
Liverpool has an impressive record against its hosts, having won on the previous three trips to their Lancashire club in the Premier League.
Wigan, who won five out of six matches in the run-up to the turn of the year, has lost last two.
The team must now cope without Wilson Palacios and Emile Heskey, who left for Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa respectively last week. But Wigan has three new transfer window signings who could all feature against the Reds.
Manager Steve Bruce could give debuts to Ben Watson and strikers Mido and Hugo Rodallega.
Colombia's Rodallega has joined in a 4.5 million pounds deal.
Bruce hopes Rodallega can fill the hole left by Heskey and he said: "If he is like any of the other South and Central American imports we have brought to the club then we have netted another gem. I believe this lad can be a big success, he is quick and strong, with an eye for goal and I am convinced he can adapt to the pace and physicality of the English Premier League."
His 20.3 million-pound pre-season arrival from Tottenham was the second biggest fee in Liverpool's history but the Republic of Ireland international's impact has been limited and manager Rafael Benitez's patience looks to be wearing thin. Keane, 28, has started just one Premier League game since the turn of the year.
There is also continued uncertainty about Dirk Kuyt, who is seen as a key man by Benitez but is out of contract at the end of next season, as well as Daniel Agger.
Contract expiry
The Dane's current deal also expires in the summer of 2010 and despite the defender publicly denying he could be on his way to AC Milan, he has revealed that Reds officials are yet to start negotiations to keep him at Anfield.
"The ball is with Liverpool," Agger said. "I haven't heard a sound from the club since the beginning of November. There is no reason to set the expectations too high. To be honest, I have no idea if they want to sign a new deal."
Liverpool has an impressive record against its hosts, having won on the previous three trips to their Lancashire club in the Premier League.
Wigan, who won five out of six matches in the run-up to the turn of the year, has lost last two.
The team must now cope without Wilson Palacios and Emile Heskey, who left for Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa respectively last week. But Wigan has three new transfer window signings who could all feature against the Reds.
Manager Steve Bruce could give debuts to Ben Watson and strikers Mido and Hugo Rodallega.
Colombia's Rodallega has joined in a 4.5 million pounds deal.
Bruce hopes Rodallega can fill the hole left by Heskey and he said: "If he is like any of the other South and Central American imports we have brought to the club then we have netted another gem. I believe this lad can be a big success, he is quick and strong, with an eye for goal and I am convinced he can adapt to the pace and physicality of the English Premier League."