Reds wipe the floor with Wigan

Liverpool returned to winning ways yesterday, as Wigan were convincingly beaten at Anfield. Two goals from the on-form Luis Suarez set the home side on their way, before the Uruguyuan combined with Raheem Sterling to set up Jose Enrique for an easy third. The Merseysiders saw out the contest with minimal fuss.

Pepe Reina returned to the starting line-up after recovering from injury, so Brad Jones, who has impressed in his place, dropped to the bench. Meanwhile, Liverpool started with five at the back, as Wisdom joined Agger and Skrtel in central defence, with Johnson and the ever-improving Enrique bombing down the wings from full back. Suarez was paired with Sterling up front.

After a quiet opening, the Latics threatened first. A well-worked Wigan move culminated in Watson wastefully firing over Reina's crossbar. Kone then cut inside and struck goalwards from 25 yards but Reina made an easy save. The hosts cranked up the pressure midway through the first period, Johnson's deflected shot from Gerrard's corner going over the bar, before Agger headed over the skipper's next set piece and Suso saw his stinging strike turned away by Ali Al Habsi in the Wigan goal.

Moments before the half hour mark, Sterling and Watson inadvertently collided on the edge of the Reds' box when competing in the air. Though there was no fault on either side as both players were clearly looking at and going for the ball, Watson came off the worst and hence the visitors were awarded a free kick. Ramis proceeded to fire harmlessly into the Liverpool wall.

The best chance of the first half fell to Enrique on the stroke of half time. Martinez's men had their keeper to thank after he somehow denied the Spanish left back from close range to prevent him breaking the deadlock after Suarez's low cross had found him in space in the penalty area.

After the interval, Liverpool came out and crucially quickly took the lead, before going on to dominate the second half. Only two minutes after the restart, Luis Suarez gave the hosts the lead. Brilliant work from Sterling saw him nip the ball away from Figueroa and cut back for Suarez, who converted his 12th goal of the season from 10 yards out.

Suarez (who else?) opens the scoring versus Wigan

After Di Santo's shot was deflected into Reina's arms and Henderson volleyed wide from range, Suarez added a second to his goalscoring tally and doubled our lead. Enrique's excellent through pass sent Suarez through on goal and the number seven did the rest, calmly slotting past Ali Habsi.

Hungry for a hat-trick, Suarez struck into the side-netting on the hour mark, before he was involved in the build-up to Enrique's goal. A neat one-two between Suarez and Sterling resulted in the latter crossing to Enrique at the back post. The number three was right on cue to tap into an empty net from yards out.

There was still time for Kone to strike against the post from close range, while Johnson went close to adding a fourth for the Reds, but Wigan never really looked like getting back into the match after Suarez scored his second and Liverpool were more than happy to hold onto their lead and see out the 90 minutes.

Two important points can be taken from yesterday's match. Firstly, 5-3-2 seems to work better than 4-3-3. The three centre backs provide a more solid defensive base, while also allowing dynamic full backs Johnson and Enrique to bomb forward at will. Secondly, Enrique and Suarez seem to be developing a very promising relationship. The pair have been involved in creating, and converting, goalscoring opportunities several times since Enrique returned to the starting line-up following a prolonged absence, as Rodgers preferred to start Johnson at left back and Wisdom on the opposite side.

Dynamic duo- Suarez and Enrique worked well together against Wigan

With three wins and no defeats in their last seven fixtures, things are undoubtedly beginning turn around for Liverpool. While vice-captain Jamie Carragher may be a little optimistic in claiming that the Reds can challenge for fourth place, recent signs of improvement have been promising and, as an arguably easier fixture list awaits the Merseysiders in December, Liverpool's season might be just beginning.

YNWA