Wigan: Wigan goalkeeper Ali Al Habsi saved a penalty kick from Liverpool's Charlie Adam to secure a 0-0 draw on Wednesday and another valuable point in his team's fight against relegation from the Premier League.
Al Habsi had already pushed over a free kick from Luis Suarez, who started for Liverpool a day after he was banned for eight matches for racially abusing Manchester United's Patrice Evra, when Gary Caldwell handled an overhead kick from the Uruguay striker. Adam took the resulting penalty but it was blocked by Al Habsi.
Wigan have now lost just one of their last six matches, while sixth-placed Liverpool have scored only three goals in their last four games.
Free to play until the appeals process against his punishment is completed, Suarez was the center of attention but remained frustrated as his side were held in a sloppy, open match at the DW stadium.
Liverpool's players warmed up for the match with shirts emblazoned with Suarez's picture as a gesture of support for their teammate, who has denied racially abusing Evra.
The squad also released a statement supporting him.
"We have lived, trained and played with Luis for almost 12 months and we don't recognize the way he has been portrayed," the players said. "We will continue to support Luis through this difficult period."
The 24-year-old Suarez was involved in many of Liverpool's early attacks. Adam his a free kick into the defensive wall before Suarez, Maxi Rodriguez and Stewart Downing combined to set up Jordan Henderson. The Reds registered the first shot on target on eight minutes after a constant spell of pressure ended with Al Habsi parrying midfielder Jordan Henderson's one-timed shot around his near post.
Liverpool continued to control possession in Lancashire, but their play inside the final third wasn't conducive to any opening tally.
The home side finally forced a save from Reds keeper Jose Reina after 20 minutes when defender Maynor Figueora fired from range.
Meanwhile, the underrated Al Habsi was continually called into action in the Wigan net. Dirk Kuyt, Glen Johnson, and Suarez were each denied by the Omani international in succession as the two teams exchanged volleys.
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 came out of the tunnel and began the second half as they had started the first. After five minutes of pressure, the visitors were awarded a spot-kick when a bicycle kick from Suarez struck defender Caldwell's outstretched arm.
Charlie Adam stepped up for the penalty, but Al-Hamsi heroically dove left to save the pulled shot from the Scotsman with his trailing arm.
The Reds continually had the better share of the ball, also making better use of it than their hosts. However, Liverpool's forays into the Wigan box were unfruitful, as were the Latics occasionally shots from range.
Even the introduction of Andy Carroll by Kenny Dalglish wasn't enough to steal three points away from the deserving hosts.
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