Bruce the man to save Latics - Benitez
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez believes Steve Bruce is the right kind of manager to save Wigan from relegation.
The pair clash tonight at Anfield in a Premier League showdown crucial to the top and bottom of the table.
Liverpool need victory to retain contact with Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea above them.
And Wigan need to bounce back quickly from their weekend home defeat by Aston Villa that has dented the impact former Birmingham boss Bruce has had in the opening weeks of his new role in charge of the Lancashire club.
But Benitez believe Bruce has a fighting chance of leading Wigan to safety.
“He has seen such situations before at Birmingham and I believe he will be really good for Wigan,” said the Spaniard.
“We have played against Birmingham a few times when Steve has been manager and my experience of those matches – particularly at Anfield – is not the best, he has done well here.”
Bruce saw his Birmingham side draw at Anfield earlier in the season, has managed a league double over Benitez and has never lost to the Spaniard in league combat.
“He did a good job and won league games here. We did beat them by seven goals in the cup at Birmingham but in the league it was a different story. We know Steve will produce that sort of fighting spirit against us now for Wigan.
“We struggled a bit against Wigan in the league earlier in the season, we did not kill the game off when we had the chance and you know in England if you do not do that, the game can become very physical, and teams make it really difficult for you.”
Benitez expects to be without Sami Hyypia and Daniel Agger again through injury and is likely to use full-back Alvaro Arbeloa in central defence again, although he could turn to teenager Jack Hobbs.
Peter Crouch is available after a three-match suspension while Xabi Alonso could return in midfield.
Either way, Benitez rates his opposite number highly and has been impressed with what he has achieved at the JJB.
“I am not surprised by the impact that Steve Bruce has had at Wigan, he is a manager with experience,” said the Liverpool boss.
“You know that you have to work really hard to improve a side that is at the bottom of the table, and Steve is that sort of manager.
“He has experience of such a situation in the Premier League, he knows how to manage with players under pressure and he can get the best out of players in such circumstances.
“You can find managers who have the experience of always fighting for titles, but they may not be able to handle a situation lower down the division.
“It is not the same situation when you are fighting against relegation, and Steve has the experience to cope with that different sort of pressure.”
