Wigan Athletic vs. Liverpool: Preview, Live Stream, Start Time and Schedule

Liverpool is just three points out of the top four in the Premier League table, and they will look to continue their impressive December with a win against a struggling Wigan Athletic.

Despite sitting in the relegation zone of the table, Wigan has taken four of six points from their last two matches, including a 1-1 draw with Chelsea on Saturday.

Taking points from the Reds would be huge for their hopes of pulling away from the relegation places, especially when you consider the next opponent for Wigan after Liverpool is Manchester United at Old Trafford.

Liverpool is 3-1-1 in their last five league matches, and there is no excuse to lose to Wigan. The Reds are a superior side and have much more talent.

Let's look at everything you need to know about this exciting matchup that is important for both clubs.

Where: DW Stadium, Wigan, England

Watch: Sky Sports HD1

Live Stream: ESPN3.com

When: Wednesday, Dec. 21 at 3:00 p.m. EST

Player To Watch for Liverpool: Craig Bellamy

Midfielder Craig Bellamy helped Liverpool beat Aston Villa 2-0 on Sunday and opened the scoring in the 11th minute.

Bellamy is a good midfielder who can score and be a playmaker that can set up his teammates with quality scoring opportunities.

Bellamy will play a key role in this success of the Reds this season and should get a start against Wigan on Wednesday.

Player To Watch for Wigan: Jordi Gómez 

Jordi Gómez scored a late equalizer against Chelsea on Saturday to earn the club a big point, and against Liverpool he needs to produce some more heroics Wednesday for Wigan to get another positive result against a top club.

Gómez has the ability to score goals, and with Liverpool's inability to break matches open with a scoring outburst, Wigan certainly has a chance for at least a draw.

Key Matchup: Liverpool Forwards vs. Wigan Back Four

Wigan's defense did a good job of allowing Chelsea just one goal over 90 minutes on Saturday, and against a less-talented Liverpool attack, Wigan should be confident in its ability to keep the Reds off the score sheet.

Liverpool has not scored more than two goals in a match during all competitions since August 27, but an early goal could really spark them to a win on Wednesday.

What They're Saying

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish spoke about Steven Gerrard's injury recently, via Goal.com:

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“If it wasn’t dealt with properly, it could have been more serious. But he had fantastic treatment. It’s been sorted, it’s been solved," Dalglish was reported as saying in The Mirror.

“It was a one-off, not relevant to anything else he’s had, so the credit goes to the people who identified the problem.

“I think it’s getting easier for him now. The hard part was when he was first injured. It was just a freak.

“He’s done unbelievably well. He does have a really strong character. He’s come through and he’s desperate to play.” 

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Prediction: Liverpool Win 2-0

Liverpool played really well against Villa on Sunday and earned a well-deserved 2-0 victory, and against an inferior Wigan side there is no excuse for them to lose.

Wigan has allowed 30 goals this season, tied for third worst in the Premier League and have had difficulty keeping opponents from piling up the goals.

Dalglish's Liverpool team have a lot of quality, especially in the midfield, and will cruise to a comfortable win over Wigan in midweek.