Wigan inflict painful defeat on Liverpool

Liverpool's Champions League aspirations suffered a serious blow with a shock 1-0 loss away to Wigan Athletic yesterday.

Hugo Rodallega's close range strike 10 minutes before half-time punished Liverpool for a ragged display and left the Anfield club in sixth place on 48 points, a point behind Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City.

Liverpool, who need to claw their way up to fourth place at the end of the season to stand a chance of returning to the Champions League, have played a game more than Spurs and two more than City.

Aston Villa, three points behind Liverpool but with three games in hand, are also threatening. Wigan climb two places to 14th with 28 points.

Today: 20.45 Portsmouth vs Birmingham; Sunderland vs Bolton.