A plucky Wigan outfit have edged out Liverpool 1-0 in the Premier League on Monday night. The Reds were well below par at Wigan's DW Stadium and their top-four hopes faded slightly as Colombian ace Hugo Rodallega netted the only goal of the contest.

Liverpool's Dirk Kuyt needlessly gave up possession close to Wigan's penalty area before Emmerson Boyce crossed in for Rodallega who volleyed home for his eighth goal of the season and produced a deserved win for Roberto Martinez's men.

The loss, in which Liverpool picked up five yellow cards, saw Rafael Benitez's charges remain in sixth place, a point in arrears of fifth-placed Manchester City who have two games in hand and one behind Tottenham who have one game up on the Reds.

Wigan eased any relegation fears with a vital three points that saw them jump to 14th on the table, four points ahead of the drop zone.