Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge has failed to recover from a thigh injury to face Wigan Athletic this afternoon.

Joe Allen comes in for Sturridge in the only change from the Reds side that beat Swansea City 5-0 two weeks ago.

Philippe Coutinho continues in the starting XI but will take up a more advanced position behind Luis Suarez in attack.

Brendan Rodgers has decided not to name Martin Skrtel on the bench, which means Suso is in the 18-man squad.

Wigan boss Roberto Martinez has named the same side that thumped Reading last weekend, but Antolin Alcaraz is among the substitutes for the first time in six months.

Wigan: Al Habsi, Scharner, Caldwell, Figueroa, Boyce, McCarthy, McArthur, Beausejour, Kone, Di Santo, Maloney

Liverpool: Reina, Johnson, Carragher, Agger, Jose Enrique, Gerrard, Lucas, Allen, Downing, Suarez, Coutinho