EBI Smolarek fired a timely reminder to Gary Megson of his goalscoring capabilities with two clinical finishes to help Wanderers second string see off 10-man Liverpool at the Reebok.
The Polish striker struck twice in six second-half minutes to help Alan Cork’s side come from behind to seal a third straight victory.
Smolarek, as well as Ali Al-Habsi, Danny Shittu, and Riga, was one of several first-team squad players given a rare run out in the Barclays Premier Reserve League North ahead of Saturday’s trip to Aston Villa.
And the hitman, on a season-long loan from Spanish club Racing Santander, took his opportunity with aplomb.
Krisztian Nemeth fired Liverpool into a 21st-minute lead after a neat one-two with Gerado Bruna after the visitors had wasted a host of first-half chances.
After the break, Riga finally forced a save out of Reds’ keeper Martin Hansen before Temitope Obadeyi’s header skimmed the crossbar as the home side look to put an insipid first 45 minutes behind them.
Liverpool were reduced to 10 men after Daniel Ayala stamped on Chris Basham following the defender’s robust, but legitimate, tackle left Emanuel Gomis Mendy requiring treatment.
Smolarek immediately took advantage of Wanderers’ extra man to superbly sweep home Riga's cross on 53 minutes.
The Poland international doubled the hosts lead six minutes later when he appeared to turn home Obadeyi’s low cross from close range, but defender Michael Scott may have got the final touch.
The Reds were denied a definite penalty when Al-Habsi upended Ryan Crowther after the midfielder went round the keeper.
And it took a brilliant injury-time save from Al-Habsi from Geardo Bruna to seal the points for Wanderers.
Wanderers: Al-Habsi, Sinclair, Basham, Sheridan, Fojut, Shittu, Burns (Ward 74), Mooy (Campbell 62), Obadeyi, Smolarek, Riga. Subs not used: Lainton, Harsanyi, Eckersley.
Liverpool: Hansen, Mendy (Kacaniklic 77), Scott, Dominguez, Huth, Plessis, Crowther (Simon 72), Ayala, Nemeth, Bruna, Weijl (Brouwer 66). Subs not used: Bouzanis, Pepper.
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