Crouch's first was a fortunate deflection that looped over Mike Pollitt in the Wigan goal, and one which the statos are already trying to claim was an own goal. It didn't stop him celebrating it in style though, with a run along the touchline mobbed by the rest of the team followed by a salute to the Kop. There was no doubt about the second - a careful lob over the advancing keeper to rapturous applause from the supporters.
It takes a special breed of referee to annoy both sets of supporters throughout a match, but Uriah Rennie managed it with ease, seemingly ripping up the rule book and creating his own on several occasions. Fortunately for Liverpool he failed to ruin the game.
Luis Garcia made it three in the second half and Pepe Reina made a couple of fine saves to ensure yet another clean sheet and lift Liverpool into second place in the Premiership, albeit temporarily.
But the day belonged to Crouch, whose all-round play was excellent and two goals to silence the pundits.