Premier League: Wigan 0 Liverpool 0

A bad week for Liverpool did not get any better on Wednesday, after a penalty save from Wigan goalkeeper Ali Al Habsi preserved a 0-0 draw.

Reds forward Luis Suarez started the match after being handed an eight-match ban and 40,000-pound fine on Tuesday for abuse of Manchester United defender Patrice Evra in the match between the two sides on October 15, with the Uruguayan available pending the outcome of his appeal.

But neither Suarez nor any other of the 28 fielded players were able to break the deadlock in a sloppy but open English Premier League encounter at DW stadium.

Liverpool registered the first shot on target on eight minutes, after a spell of constant pressure ended with Al Habsi parrying midfielder Jordan Henderson’s shot around his near post.

Liverpool continued to control possession in Lancashire, but their play inside the final third proved ultimately fruitless.

The home side finally forced a save from Reds goalkeeper Jose Reina after 20 minutes, when defender Maynor Figueora fired from range.

Based on the Honduran’s precedent, teammates Mohamed Diame and Vitor Moses each drove long-range shots in the following minutes, but they fizzed wide and over respectively.

At the other end, Al Habsi was continually called into action. Dirk Kuyt, Glen Johnson, and Suarez were each denied by the Oman international as the two teams exchanged volleys.

The match was wide-open and both sides were counter-attacking with aplomb.

Moses tackled and won possession inside his own penalty box, taking the ball the course of the field before stinging Reina’s hands with another effort on 36 minutes.

Wigan had recovered from Liverpool’s early aggression and control, but neither side were due to break the deadlock before the half-time interval.

Liverpool began the second half as they had started the first. After five minutes of pressure, the visitors were awarded a penalty when a bicycle kick from Suarez struck defender Gary Caldwell’s outstretched arm.

Charlie Adam stepped up for the penalty, but Al-Habsi dove left to save the Scotsman’s effort with his trailing arm.

The Reds had the better share of the ball, also making better use of it than their hosts. But their forays into the Wigan box were unfruitful, as were the home side’s occasional shots from range.

Wigan manager Roberto Martinez introduced cult hero Franco di Santo for Connor Sammon on 61 minutes, in the hope of snatching a late goal to plunder all three points.

Liverpool boss Kenny Dalgish rung the changes himself 11 minutes later, bringing on Craig Bellamy and Jonjo Shelvey for Maxi Rodriguez and Kuyt.

After almost 80 minutes, each side had at least 15 shots, but just a fraction were on target.

Moses and Hugo Rodellaga combined near the death to fashion a close-range attempt for Wigan, but the Colombian’s header was deflected off the goal-line.

The introduction of Andy Carroll by Dalglish was not enough to steal three points away from the deserving hosts.