COMEBACK FROM THE RED; LIVERPOOL 3 WIGAN 2 ENGLISH ACTION.

Byline: JAMIE HEWITT reports

LIVERPOOL kept pace with table-toppers Chelsea thanks to another stunning comeback victory - this time over 10-man Wigan.

The Anfield side are fast becoming experts at late rallies and found themselves twice behind at home to goals from Egyptian striker Amr Zaki, his second a fantastic acrobatic volley into the Kop end.

Dirk Kuyt's first-half equaliser kept Liverpool in the game and they fought their way back to win 3-2 - just as they did at Manchester City a fortnight ago.

The home side had handed Wigan the opener in 29 minutes after a blunder from defender Daniel Agger.

Jose Reina tapped a routine pass out to the Dane, who was far too casual. He allowed the ball to bounce away from him enough for Zaki to pounce, win the tackle, and stride into the box to beat the exposed keeper with a shot into the corner.

Agger atoned for his howler in 37 minutes when he charged forward before crossing for Kuyt to fire in the equaliser.

Kuyt then hit the bar but it was Zaki who had the final word of the half with a sensational scissors-kick shot from a deep cross that flew past Reina.

Wigan were battling for everything in the second half and frustrating the Reds but the game turned when Ecuador winger Antonio Valencia was sent off after picking up his second yellow for a foul on Xabi Alonso in 74 minutes.

Liverpool immediately powered forward against the 10-men.

In 79 minutes Moroccan substitute Nabil El Zhar crossed from the right for Spanish wide man Albert Riera to lash home his first goal for the club.

The Kop was now baying for the winner and with five minutes to go Jermaine Pennant crossed from the right and Kuyt managed to hook the ball down into the turf and up into the net past Chris Kirkland's stretching fingers to send the home fans into ecstasy.

CAPTION(S):

Prince Albert: Riera celebrates celebrates his leveller after Kuyt (inset) made it 1-1