Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez upset over his team's defeat

Reds coach Benitez admits team was mediocre in 0-1 defeat to Wigan

Reds coach Benitez admits team was mediocre in 0-1 defeat to Wigan

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez delivered a brutally honest assessment of his side's performance in their 1-0 Premier League defeat at Wigan last night.

Liverpool's Dutch forward Dirk Kuyt and Wigan Athletic's Scottish defender Gary Caldwell (left) vie for the ball during their English Premier League match at The DW Stadium in Wigan yesterday. Wigan won 1-0 Pic/AFP

Hugo Rodallega's eighth Premier League goal of the season late in the first half ended a run of seven league matches without a victory for the Latics and dented the Reds' top-four hopes.

Asked if he thought it was a fair result, Benitez said: "I think so.

"We didn't play well, especially in the first half. We didn't show attitude."

Benitez admitted his side gave the ball away too often.

"That is very clear, especially in the first half," he added.

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

Wigan boss Roberto Martinez was delighted with his team's display.

"I think we had everything you can expect from a good performance," he said.

"This is one of the days to be very, very proud of Wigan.

"Today the players showed great composure, great understanding. If anything we looked dangerous on the break and with the right decision could have got the second goal."