Hugo Rodallega bagged the only goal for the game for the Latics in the 35^th minute when the Colombian forward steered Emmerson Boyce's cross home from close range after Liverpool had conceded possession deep inside their own half.

The return of Glen Johnson as a second-half substitute was the only positive on a night to forget for the Reds at the DW Stadium.

The result leaves Liverpool sixth in the Barclays Premier League, a point behind top four rivals Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City, though both sides have games in hand on the Reds, as do seventh-placed Aston Villa.

Rafael Benitez made two changes to the side that defeated Blackburn Rovers last time out as Sotirios Kyrgiakos returned to the starting line-up for the first time after suspension.

The Greek international replaced Daniel Agger at the heart of Liverpool's defence, while Emiliano Insua was drafted into the back four in place of the injured Fabio Aurelio.

Meanwhile, Johnson was named amongst the substitutes as the England defender stepped up his recovery from a torn medial ligament in his right knee.

Liverpool travelled to the DW Stadium looking for three points in order to move back into the Barclays Premier League top four.

The Reds had never lost to Wigan in league action - and the Latics could only boast a paltry two points accrued from a possible 27 from their clashes with the Anfield men.

However, Roberto Martinez's outfit did claim a draw in the corresponding fixture last season and a 3-1 home victory over Chelsea earlier in the campaign proved they can be a real handful for any side in the division on their day.

The fine weather enjoyed across the north west throughout the day meant conditions were ideal for football, though the newly re-laid pitch at the DW caused the ball to bobble and bounce across the surface in the early exchanges - and appeared to worsen as the game went on.

Liverpool carved out the first opening of the evening inside five minutes when Steven Gerrard smashed a long-range effort high over the crossbar of Chris Kirkland after Javier Mascherano's low cross had been half cleared by Wigan.

The visitors went closer still on nine minutes as the unmarked Fernando Torres collected Maxi's header back into the danger zone from a corner and cannoned a volley against the outside of the post from a tight angle.

The Latics soon took their opportunity to threaten with only a fine challenge by Jamie Carragher halting James McCarthy's run prior to Charles N'Zogbia's powerful ball across the face of Pepe Reina's goal narrowly evading Marcelo Moreno in the centre.

Carragher was required to produce another fine block on 18 minutes after N'Zogbia breezed beyond Insua and into the area, only to see the Reds' vice-captain get an important foot to his attempted cross.

After an uncertain opening, the hosts certainly had the bit between their teeth, but Liverpool almost took the lead on 27 minutes. Dirk Kuyt's expert flick released Yossi Benayoun into the box and the Israeli danced around Titus Bramble before cutting the ball back across goal.

Gerrard met the cross on the slide but was crowded out by the Latics' rearguard, however the skipper regained his feet and managed to dig out a left-footed effort that went agonisingly close to finding the inside of the goal.

But Wigan took the lead 10 minutes before the break when Kuyt's misplaced pass deep inside his own half only succeeded in finding Boyce, whose floated centre was tapped over the line by Rodallega at close quarters.

It was only the Latics' second ever home league goal against the visitors.

Torres flashed a header over from Maxi's cross before the break, but the half-time whistle may well have been welcomed by the Reds with Wigan firmly in the ascendancy.

The home side began the second period in sprightly fashion as Rodallega thumped a strike against Mascherano and N'Zogbia fizzed wide of the post, while Torres clipped over from Maxi's reverse pass at the other end.

With Liverpool still struggling to impose themselves on events, Benitez opted to switch Mascherano back into the centre of midfield, with Johnson replacing Lucas and moving to right-back for his first appearance since December 29.

Wigan could have furthered their lead on 59 minutes as Carragher and Reina got into a mix-up on the right edge of the box under pressure, with the former striking a clearance against Moreno which looped towards goal and required Kyrgiakos to head behind for a corner to prevent a second for the home team.

Then, in the 73^rd minute, Johnson was forced to produce an excellent sliding challenge to stop Paul Scharner from tapping in after Reina had deflected N'Zogbia's stabbed effort across the face of goal.

Play quickly moved up to the other end and Torres turned Kuyt's knockdown from Insua's deep cross wide of the post when well placed.

It proved to be the visitors' last clear chance and, despite some late pressure, an equaliser never materialised meaning Wigan held out to claim victory. The Reds will hope for far better in Lille on Thursday evening.