Once again Liverpool dominated the opening stages and almost scored after 15 minutes when Robbie Fowler exchanged passes with Fernando Morientes and forced Mike Pollitt into a save with a downward header.
Unlike in recent games Liverpool managed to score while they were on top. Wigan cleared the ball from their box after an unsuccessful Reds attack but Jamie Carragher was on hand to send the ball back into the danger area and Sami Hyypia was able to send a left footed shot into the back of the Wigan net.
Wigan raised their game in the second half but were unable to find a way past Jerzy Dudek, again deputising for the suspended Pepe Reina. Johansson and De Zeeuw both came close to equalising for Wigan but were both denied by some athletic goalkeeping from Dudek.