The improvement is built on a rock-solid defence, which has kept eight consecutive clean sheets — their best run since 1987-88, when they went 10 games without conceding. That said, their star man yesterday was none of the defenders, or Crouch, but Steven Gerrard, who bestrode the midfield like the proverbial colossus.
Wigan had no answer to the dynamic authority he exerted throughout and, but for some top-class saves by Pollitt, he would have had the goal or two he deserved. Liverpool could scarcely be in better shape for their Champions League tie at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday.
Wigan, in contrast, have hit a brick wall after the surge up the table that took them into second place. This was their third Premiership defeat on the trot, and it is not going to get any easier for Paul Jewell and his homespun team. Their next two games are against Chelsea and Manchester United, both away. But with due respect to Jewell, Gerrard and the rest, this was Crouch’s day.
After 21 games, for club and country, without a goal, the England striker would have settled for one that went in off his backside. He thought his first for Liverpool finally arrived in the 19th minute, but it was too bizarre to be true and, ultimately, referee Uriah Rennie decided it was an own goal. On a run through the middle, Crouch let fly from 20 yards and was cursing again when the ball hit the heel of a defender and looped high and, what ought to have been harmlessly, in the air. It looked like a simple catch for Pollitt, but Wigan’s second-string goalkeeper — aged 33, and on his 12th club after signing from Rotherham — went for it in horribly maladroit fashion and ended up palming the ball into his own net.
Crouch’s goal? He certainly thought so, and set off towards the opposite end, and the Kop, for the sort of celebration usually reserved for cup finals. What was beyond question was that Liverpool were good value for their lead.
Harry Kewell, recalled for only his second start of the season, and Fernando Morientes might have both scored in the first 15 minutes, and Gerrard tested Pollitt twice before the game was half an hour old. For Wigan, Arjan De Zeeuw’s header clipped the crossbar from Jimmy Bullard’s corner, but this was a rare breakout, and Gerrard, played through by a delightful touch from Crouch, would have doubled the margin but for another high- quality save.
When the second goal came, after 41 minutes, there was no disputing Crouch’s claim to it. Fastening on to Steve Finnan’s long, lofted pass in the inside-right channel, he lifted the ball across and over the goalkeeper, beating Pascal Chimbonda’s attempt at a goalline clearance.
Wigan got away with dreadful marking when Morientes headed against the crossbar, but after 70 minutes their defenders went walk- about again and another free header from the Spaniard was diverted in at close range by Luis Garcia.
Pollitt further redeemed himself by keeping out a venomous free kick from Gerrard, then thwarting Morientes. If the first goal had been the keeper’s fault, he could console himself with the thought that his reflexes and athleticism spared his teammates a real drubbing.
Jewell, a former Liverpool fan and reserve-team player, had a chastened look afterwards when he said: “It was disappointing to come here and not have a go at them.” His charges are on a slippery slope and must travel to Stamford Bridge next.
STAR MAN: Steven Gerrard (Liverpool)