Liverpool rested Steven Gerrard, Javier Mascherano, Momo Sissoko, Daniel Agger and Steve Finnan but still had too much quality for the Latics as they strolled to a 2-0 win.
The Reds never got out of first gear during the opening 45 minutes but still created a couple of chances for John Arne Riise and another for Peter Crouch. Jermaine Pennant then popped up on the left of midfield to cross for Dirk Kuyt to score after half an hour.
The game vastly improved after the break as Liverpool found their passing game. Wigan also picked up after the interval and pressed hard for an equaliser, but it was the Reds who scored again when some good work from subsitute Craig Bellamy created a chance for Kuyt who stuck the ball home to wrap the game up.
Liverpool had chances for a third with Mark Gonzalez heading wide and then bringing a good save out of Filan in the Wigan goal but 2-0 was comfortable enough and the Reds can go into Wednesday's Champions League semi-final on a high note.