Wigan Athletic and Liverpool continued their pre-season preparations with a clash at the DW Stadium on Sunday.
It was the Premier League side that enjoyed the better of the first period, but the two sides entered the half-time break on level terms.
Liverpool continued to dominate, however, and second-half goals from Danny Ings and Ben Woodburn capped what was a comfortable afternoon for the Reds.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Afternoon all! Sports Mole's live pre-season coverage continues from the DW as Wigan Athletic take on Liverpool in a friendly. Wigan only hosted Manchester United yesterday, but they are back in action against Jurgen Klopp's side, who have recorded two wins from their two pre-season fixtures thus far!
Both of these teams are building towards the start of the 2016/17 campaign, which for Wigan opens away to Bristol City in the Championship on August 6. Meanwhile, Liverpool's Premier League season opens away to Arsenal on August 14. The two teams have plenty of games to come before then, however, as both managers assess how their squads are shaping up for the new season.
TEAMS!
WIGAN: Nicholls; Taylor, Pearce, Hendry, Flores; Chow, Gilbey, Morsy, Colclough; Wildschut, Odelusi
LPOOL: Karius; Randall, Lovren, Matip, Flanagan; Brannagan, Stewart, Ejaria; Coutinho, Firmino, Mane
As expected, it is a completely different Wigan XI from the one that started against Manchester United on Saturday, which brought a 2-0 defeat for the Championship outfit. Summer signing Alex Gilbey makes his debut for the Latics this afternoon, while there are also starts for Sanmi Odelusi and Yanic Colclough. Jason Pearce will captain the home side from central defence at the DW.
As for Liverpool, Marko Grujic has been ruled out with a virus, while Alberto Moreno (neck) and Brad Smith (groin) are missing as a precaution. Jurgen Klopp has named Philippe Coutinho in his starting lineup for the first time this pre-season, with the Brazilian back from an extended break following his Copa America exertions. Coutinho joins Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino in the final third.
So there we have it. The two teams are in and we are now just under 45 minutes from kickoff on this warm afternoon in Wigan. I shall speak about the hosts a little bit later, but let's start with Liverpool, who have already recorded victories over Tranmere Rovers and Fleetwood Town this month.
Indeed, Liverpool's pre-season started fairly early in relation to other Premier League clubs. On July 8, a Danny Ings effort saw Kloop's side record a 1-0 victory at Tranmere, before summer signing Marko Grujic starred in a 5-0 win over Fleetwood on Wednesday night. This will be a step up, however, as Klopp continues to look at the younger players in the squad ahead of the new season.
In terms of what is ahead for Liverpool, the Reds will face Huddersfield Town in another friendly on July 20, before travelling to North America to take part in the International Champions Cup, where they will face Premier League rivals Chelsea on July 28 and Italian giants AC Milan on July 30.
Liverpool will then face Roma in a friendly on August 2, before taking on Spanish champions Barcelona, once again in the International Champions Cup, on August 6. The team's final pre-season match will be against German side Mainz 05 on August 7, before a solid week of training leads into their opening Premier League game against Arsenal at the Emirates on August 14.
It is a very busy pre-season for Klopp and more new signings are expected before their league campaign opens. A very tough start to the Premier League season will see Liverpool take on Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur, Leicester City and Liverpool in four of their opening five matches. Crikey!
Confirmation of the Liverpool XI and indeed subs this afternoon...
It has also been a busy summer in terms of signings, with Sadio Mane, Loris Karius, Joel Matip and Marko Grujic all arriving at Anfield. Lazar Markovic is also back from a loan spell in Turkey and the Serbian has been heavily involved in Klopp's pre-season plans. The team that takes to the field against Arsenal will be very different from the one that ended the 2015-16 season, that is for sure.
Klopp did take Liverpool into the final of both the League Cup and Europa League last season, but the Reds were beaten in both. A disappointing Premier League season, meanwhile, saw Liverpool finish down in eighth position and there is no question that the board, who recently handed Klopp a new and improved six-year deal, will demand an improvement in the new campaign.
As for Wigan, the Championship side will enter this match off the back of a 2-0 defeat to Man United on Saturday afternoon. As expected, an entirely different XI has taken to the field for this match and head coach Gary Caldwell will demand an improvement in performance. A fairly lacklustre display saw Man United run out comfortable winners with goals from Will Keane and Andreas Pereira.
In terms of what is ahead for the Latics, Caldwell's side will take on Macclesfield Town in another pre-season clash on July 20, before facing Rochdale, Oldham Athletic and Fleetwood Town before the end of the month. If nothing else, Wigan should be physically ready to open their Championship campaign with a trip to Bristol City on August 6. Kickoff is now just 15 minutes away at the DW!
Wigan secured a return to the Championship last season as the Latics won League One with 87 points. An impressive campaign saw Caldwell's side only lose seven of their 46 matches and they will be confident of challenging in the Championship next season, albeit with a few more new signings.
In terms of summer business, Stephen Warnock, Dan Burn and Nick Powell have all arrived at Wigan on free transfers this summer, while Kyle Knoyle has joined on loan from West Ham United. More new signings are expected to arrive before the window slams shut and Caldwell will have plenty of opportunities to try out new systems and combinations in the coming weeks.
A reminder of the two teams for this afternoon's match...
WIGAN: Nicholls; Taylor, Pearce, Hendry, Flores; Chow, Gilbey, Morsy, Colclough; Wildschut, Odelusi
LPOOL: Karius; Randall, Lovren, Matip, Flanagan; Brannagan, Stewart, Ejaria; Coutinho, Firmino, Mane
Kickoff is going to be a little bit late here as the two teams are only just in the tunnel, but the football will get underway shortly. It is a very hot afternoon in Wigan - almost like Spain!
KICKOFF! Wigan get the first period underway at the DW...
... not quite a full house inside the stadium, but there is a good atmosphere and the home supporters will be looking for a better performance than they saw against Man United on Saturday afternoon. As expected, it is the Premier League outfit that have taken control of the early possession.
Plenty happening in the middle of the park at the moment as both teams battle for control of the midfield. We are still waiting for the first real attack though, despite Liverpool's control of the ball.
Liverpool have a free kick in a dangerous position as Pearce brings Mane to the deck...
... CROSSBAR! The free kick is played short into Coutinho and the Brazilian looks for the top corner, but his effort smashes off the crossbar! Nicholls could just stand and watch!
Wigan defender Stephen Warnock is working for Liverpool TV this afternoon and the full-back has picked out Wildschut as a player to watch for the home side. Indeed, the Dutchman has just absolutely speeded past a number of Liverpool players and win his team's first corner of the match.
Wigan really struggled to make their mark against Man United on Saturday and that is the pattern of this match at the moment as Liverpool continue to pass and probe in the final third of the field.
Brannagan is brought to the deck as Wigan continue to commit fouls in dangerous positions, but the latest set piece is headed away by Chow. The red shirts continue to pile forward, however, and Wigan are once again on the back foot. Liverpool are very much in control of this pre-season game.
The referee has had a very busy opening 14 minutes here as late challenges continue to arrive. Mane has been bright for Liverpool in central positions, while Coutinho and Firmino are also causing problems with their movement in the final third. Wigan just cannot get out at the moment.
POST! Coutinho hits the woodwork for a second time in this match as the Brazilian works some space in the box before rattling his effort against the post. So close once again!
Sanmi Odelusi is playing through the middle for Wigan this afternoon and it would be fair to say that the forward has been extremely isolated in the opening 18 minutes. Wildschut has been supportive when possible, but the Dutchman has been needed to help out his defence.
Andrew Taylor brings Mane to the deck as Liverpool force another free kick in a wide position...
... Brannagan delivers from a wide position and Matip heads over the Wigan crossbar.
Another half-chance for Liverpool as Coutinho looks to pick out the top corner with a curling effort from distance, but his effort was always moving over the crossbar. Simply all one-way traffic.
Wildschut is the one player looking to make something happen for Wigan and you sense that any goal that might come from the home side will have a lot to do with the pacey Dutchman!
Ejaria hits one from distance as the pressure continues from Liverpool, but the midfielder's effort is blocked by the diving Pearce, who is having to work very hard at the moment. There might well be a yellow card arriving in this friendly as the home team continue to commit a whole host of fouls.
Wigan are playing a very high line and that is encouraging Liverpool to pick through balls, but the weight on the pass has been a little too strong in the opening 29 minutes of this match. Still goalless as this first period continues to gather pace, but Liverpool have been much the better side.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Wigan to take the lead as a terrible mistake from Karius leads to Odelusi chasing onto a loose ball, but Karius just about does enough to clear!
Liverpool are still in control of the possession, but Wigan are now carrying a threat and the home supporters are responding with some noise. Much, much better game at the moment!
Wildschut once again shows some wonderful pace in a wide position, but the midfielder's cross is poor and Liverpool can resume the action with a goal-kick. Needs to be better quality there.
Just a reminder that both managers are expected to make sweeping changes in the second period, especially Liverpool, who could well make four or five alterations at the half-time interval here.
Wigan's main threat is coming down their left as Taylor continues to support Wildschut, who has comfortably been his team's best player in the first period, despite some poor crosses from a wide position. Liverpool are just struggling to find that final pass at the moment. Still all square at the DW.
Half-chance for Liverpool as Coutinho sets up Ejaria on the edge of the box, but the midfielder's effort is blocked and Wigan can once again clear their lines. It has been a decent first period here.
SAVES! Nicholls gets down to keep out a strike from Coutinho, moments after Mane had tested the Wigan stopper from close range. Two strong pieces of work from Nicholls there!
Brannagan has the chance to deliver a deep free kick into the Wigan box, but the cross is too strong and Wigan can resume from the dead-ball line. Not long left of the first period.
SAVE! Nicholls gets down to keep out a close-range effort from Ejaria as Liverpool once again threaten in the final moments of the first half. Wigan need to hold out here.
HALF-TIME: Wigan 0-0 Liverpool
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with the two teams level at 0-0. In truth, Liverpool have dominated this match for long spells, but they have been unable to make the breakthrough despite the best efforts of Coutinho, who has rattled the woodwork on two occasions.
BENCH WATCH! James Barrigan and Craig Davies, who both played against Man United on Saturday, are on the bench for Wigan this afternoon. Meanwhile, Sam Cosgrove and Callum Lang are among those also available. Liverpool, meanwhile, have options in the shape of Lucas, Markovic, Woodburn and Kent. Klopp is expected to make alterations at the half-time break.
RESTART! Liverpool resume the action at the DW...
... LIV SUBS! Wisdom, Ilori, Lucas, Alexander-Arnold, Woodburn, Markovic, Kent and Ings have all come on for Liverpool at the interval. Karius, Randall and Matip remain on the field.
No changes for Wigan at the break, which is good news for me trying to keep up! It has been a positive start to the second period from Liverpool as Ings already looks to turn and run the line. Klopp will be looking for his team to make their dominance count in the second 45 minutes here.
SAVE! Opportunity for Liverpool as Ings races through into a one-on-one with Nicholls, but the striker cannot beat the Wigan goalkeeper from a narrow angle!
Liverpool continue to dominate as they pass and probe in the final third, but Wigan are remaining stern as they clear their lines under severe pressure. It could be a long second period for the hosts!
CHANCE! Another opportunity for Ings as the striker wriggles free inside the Wigan box, but his low effort is wide of the post. Wigan are riding their luck at the moment.
Liverpool, as expected, are the fresher of these two teams at the moment as they continue to play on the front foot, but in fairness to Wigan and the likes of Pearce, they are defending very well.
Little over 30 minutes of this pre-season friendly left and there are some tired legs out there in blue shirts, that is for sure. I would be surprised if Caldwell did not look at making changes in the next few minutes because Liverpool are first to every single ball all over the park at the DW.
Not too much to report in the last few minutes as the offside flag is raised to halt a couple of attacks from both teams. Wigan need to find a way of keeping hold of the ball here.
Half-chance for Wigan as Wildschut cuts inside before striking towards goal, but his effort is wide. The Dutchman has looked the player most likely to make something happen this afternoon.
There is no question that Ings has added something different to the Liverpool attack and the striker is opening space for those around him. Young midfielder Alexander-Arnold has a pop from distance, but his effort was always too high of the Wigan goal. Still all square at the DW here.
CHANCE! Ings sets up Lucas as Liverpool come close once again, but the midfielder's low effort is the wrong side of the post. Almost two in a week for the Brazilian.
Still no movement on the Wigan bench as we approach the final 20 minutes of this pre-season friendly. Still no goals, meanwhile, as the home side continue to hold off the severe pressure.
CLOSE! Super feet from Kent at the far post as the midfielder creates some space before firing towards the bottom corner, but his effort just misses the target!
WIGAN SUB! Craig Davies replaces Flores for Wigan.
GOAL! Wigan 0-1 Liverpool (Ings)
Liverpool make the breakthrough in the 71st minute as Markovic finds Ings and the striker takes one touch before finishing into the back of the net from close range. Tidy finish there!
GOAL! Wigan 0-2 Liverpool (Woodburn)
Liverpool score their second of the match and it is once again Woodburn, with the 16-year-old scoring in back-to-back matches. It was a tidy finish after a through pass from Lucas!
Wigan just cannot seem to get out of their own half at the moment as Liverpool continue to force the issue in the final third. Just like yesterday, the Latics have simply run out of legs here.
WIGAN SUB! Barrigan replaces Odelusi for the home side.
WIGAN SUB! Luke Burke replaces Gilbey as Wigan make another change.
Pass, pass, pass from Liverpool as they continue to search for a third goal at the DW. Klopp will be very pleased with his team's performance here, especially since the half-time break.
CHANCE! Just about the best chance Wigan have had all afternoon as Chow finds space inside the Liverpool box, but his effort is straight at Karius from close range.
Wildschut uses his pace to break clear for Wigan, but the winger just cannot find a pass and the attack breaks down at the vital moment. Liverpool break and Ings finds space inside the box, but his low effort is kept out by Nicholls, who has made three or four super stops this afternoon.
WIGAN SUBS! Morsy and Colclough are replaced by Lang and Gregory.
FULL-TIME: Wigan 0-2 Liverpool
So there we have it. Comfortable in the end for Liverpool as the Premier League side run out 2-0 winners over Wigan to make it three straight victories in pre-season. That is just about it from me this afternoon, but be sure to join us again soon for more pre-season coverage. Until next time!
