Danny Ings and Ben Woodburn both came off the bench to score as Liverpool continued their pre-season campaign with a 2-0 win over Championship outfit Wigan Athletic at the DW Stadium this afternoon.
Wigan managed to resist a host of pressure in the first 45 minutes, but the visitors found two goals in the second period to cap what was a comfortable afternoon for the Merseyside outfit.
As expected, Wigan boss Gary Caldwell named an entirely different XI from the one that lost 2-0 to Manchester United on Saturday, and among those selected were summer signing Alex Gilbey and Dutch midfielder Yanic Wildschut.
As for Liverpool, there was a first pre-season appearance for Philippe Coutinho following his exertions at the Copa America, but young midfielder Marko Grujic missed out a spot in the squad due to illness.
It was the visitors that came closest to making the breakthrough inside five minutes when Coutinho sent a short free kick towards the top corner, but the Brazilian's effort hit the crossbar with Wigan goalkeeper Lee Nicholls stranded.
Wigan really struggled in the early exchanges against Man United on Saturday and that was also the case in this match, with Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane causing all sorts of problems with their movement in the final third.
Coutinho again came close in the 15th minute after working some space inside the Wigan box, but his powerful strike hit the inside of the post as Wigan managed to survive another dangerous moment on home soil.
Summer signing Joel Matip was next to come close for the visitors after meeting a free kick from Cameron Brannagan in the 20th minute, but the centre-back's effort was always flying over the crossbar.
Wigan had a golden chance to take the lead in the 30th minute when a lapse in concentration from Loris Karius presented Sanmi Odelusi with the opportunity to tap home from close range, but the young goalkeeper just about did enough at the final moment.
Coutinho, Mane and Ovie Ejaria all had shots on goal in the latter stages of the first period as Liverpool looked to make their domination count, but Nicholls was on hand to make three smart saves and keep the pair on terms at the break.
Liverpool made eight half-time changes and one of those that entered, Ings, tested Nicholls with a low strike during what was a strong start to the second period from the Premier League club.
Much like at the start of the first half, the Reds overwhelmed Wigan with their pace and intensity in the final third and Ings had another opportunity in the 54th minute, firing just wide of the post after wriggling free inside the box.
Wigan had a half-chance of their own just past the hour when Wildschut cut inside and attempted to pick out the far corner, but his effort was always swinging wide of the target.
Five minutes later, Liverpool again came close when Ings fed Lucas inside the box, but the Brazilian's effort missed the far post, before Ings volleyed into the stands following another period of pressure.
Ryan Kent was next to come close for Jurgen Klopp's side after skipping past two defenders at the far post, but his effort was a couple of yards wide of the target, much to the relief of Nicholls.
Liverpool finally made the breakthrough in the 71st minute, however, when Lazar Markovic found Ings and the striker took one touch inside the Wigan box before finishing from close range. Three minutes later, it was 2-0 as 16-year-old Woodburn scored his second goal in the space of three days after finishing past Nicholls from inside the box.
Wigan had the opportunity to register a late consolation through Tim Chow, but the 22-year-old fired straight at Karius as Liverpool ran out comfortable winners at the DW Stadium.
Next up for Wigan is a pre-season clash with Macclesfield Town on Wednesday, while Liverpool return to action away to Huddersfield Town on the same night.
Matt Law
