As I predicted in my Sweet 17 piece, Jake Mamo replaced the injured Stefan Ratchford at full back, with Tom Lineham also coming back in, and Bryson Goodwin moving across to centre. Joe Philbin started at loose forward with Ben Westwood dropping out, and Danny Walker came into the squad to take Philbin's place on the bench.
Wire started the game in Liverpool brightly but it as Liverpool who got on the scoreboard first when Zak Hardaker slotted a penalty goal over for a two point lead after 17 minutes, though it would be a short-lived lead. A poor ball on the fifth tackle found Lineham, who kicked the ball past his man before chasing the ball down and kicking it once again, this time into the path of Declan Patton, who touched down for the first try of the match. Patton, who was taking over Ratchford's goal-kicking duties, nailed a comfortable conversion for a 2-6 lead. The scrum half scored another goal before the break, meaning he scored all eight of Warrington's points in the first half, though Ben Murdoch-Masila somehow failed to score a try when he clumsily lost the ball when the try line was beckoning.
Wigan were level in the game early in the second half when a good ball out wide from George Williams arrived in the hands of Joe Burgess. Burgess then beat the challenge of Josh Charnley and Toby King to touch down. Zak Hardaker missed the conversion meaning Steve Price's team held a 6-8 lead, though he scored a penalty of his own shortly afterwards for a level game at 8-8. Warrington were struggling to get a real foothold in the game before Blake Austin produced a moment fitting of the 'magic' description, on this of all weekends.
Receiving the ball from more than 30 metres out, he broke past the challenges of two Wigan defenders before gliding his way to the line and crossing over for a glorious individual try under the sticks, which was duly converted by Patton for an 8-14 lead. Austin's try sparked mass celebrations among the Wolves contingent in the Anfield Road end, though there was greater to come just five minutes later when Josh Charnley alertly pounced on a loose ball and sent Toby King free. King raced 65 metres unchallenged and scored under the posts before celebrating in the style of Anfield hero Roberto Firmino. This try was also converted easily by Patton for a 8-20 lead.
A massive win, and a third victory over Wigan this season. This was a gritty performance full of character and on a big day for the club, the players came up trumps. Austin will get the headlines for his delightful try though there were a lot of impressive performances out there - Mamo was superb at full back in his first game since March, while Lineham, Goodwin and Charnley offered a lot too, and Patton has to be given credit for his 18 point haul. Daryl Clark had a great game as always, while Sitaleki Akauola and Joe Philbin did a lot of good defensive work.
Delighted with that win. It was a bit scrappy at times but we had to show so much resolve and character to get the result. It's also a great response to last week's defeat (how did we lose to them?) and a good way of building momentum ahead of Friday's quarter final clash with Hull KR. Check out my player rankings from the match and let me know your thoughts on the game and on Anfield's first ever Magic Weekend - personally I thought it was very good and had an enjoyable atmosphere - though being a Liverpool fan I am biased!
It's always our year.
Daniel (@aloosewire)
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