After the midweek international break, Liverpool’s race for a place in next season’s Champions league continues on Monday night with a trip to Wigan, kick-off at 20:00 hours (GMT). The Premier League outing away to the Latics hands the Merseysiders an ideal opportunity to move back into the top four. This weekend sees close rivals Aston Villa and Tottenham play in the FA Cup, while Manchester City rest. - Premier League Table -

Fernando Torres returns to domestic action after playing the second-half of Spain’s 2-0 win over France in Paris. The forward enjoyed a successful run-out as the European champions ended a 42 year wait for a win against France on French soil.

The Liverpool number ‘9’s last Premier League appearance ended in a 2-1 win for the Anfield club. Torres played for 89 minutes of the victory, hitting his side’s winner before half-time.

The strike at home to Blackburn Rovers took the forward’s goal tally to 13 in 17 league appearances, an excellent goal per game ratio which Torres will be hoping to improve when Liverpool take on Wigan on Monday.

The Latics have conceded two goals to Torres, his last strike coming back in December last year. The goal rounded off a fine day for the Spaniard who celebrated his 100th appearance for the Reds in style. His goal oozed class as he dinked the ball over the line after his first effort had been blocked by a defender.

The Red’s opponents, who are coached by Spaniard Roberto Martinez, are struggling near the drop zone on 24 points, just one point from Hull who sit third from bottom.

A poor run of just one victory in their last 13 in the league has seen Wigan fall out of the top-half of the table and into the fight for relegation.

Liverpool have never lost to Wigan, winning nine of their 11 league and cup meetings to date. Come Monday night, the Merseysiders hope to have stretched their impressive record to 12 games as they look to start the week in fourth-place.