Abby Brammell

By John Edwards

Stevie V: Gerrard makes shameful gesture towards referee Andre Marriner after he was booked in Liverpool's defeat at Wigan


Steven Gerrrad could face an FA investigation after appearing to aim this abusive gesture at referee Andre Marriner as Liverpool's Champions League hopes suffered another setback with a 1-0 defeat at Wigan.

The Liverpool skipper was booked for a scything challenge in the 82nd minute and seemed to give Marriner a V-sign and mouth an obscenity as his mounting frustration at a listless performance boiled over.

While it appeared to escape Marriner's attention, Gerrard could be in trouble if the FA look into it and decide it warrants disciplinary action. It was yet another brush with authority for an England captain.

Gerrard took the armband against Egypt last week in the wake of the scandal that cost John Terry the job of national skipper.

Benitez claimed he had not seen the incident but was dismayed at the way Liverpool failed to test Chris Kirkland even once, as Hugo Rodallega's 35th-minute goal gave Wigan their first League win over Liverpool, who would have gone into fourth place with a victory.

'I don't know if Steven did anything or not, because it was too far away to see,' said the Liverpool manager, when asked about a flashpoint that occurred on the far side of the pitch.


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'We didn't play well, especially in the first half. We didn't show attitude. It was clear that we gave the ball away too often and too easily, especially in the first half.

'We're not happy. We have to show more character if we want to be in the top four.

'You are always disappointed after a defeat, but when it is a crucial moment and you know you can do so much better, it is especially hard to take. We did nothing in the first half, and it is really hard to explain.


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'We were not winning the first or second balls, and it is hard to come up with a reason for that. I let the players know I was not happy, and at least there was a response in the second half.'

Wigan jumped two places to 14th and manager Roberto Martinez said: 'The players showed great composure, great understanding. This is one of the days to be very proud of Wigan.'


source: dailymail