Wigan's Titus Bramble (left) scores against Liverpool during their Premier League match at Anfield, yesterday. The game ended 1-1. - AP

LIVERPOOL held to a 1-1 draw at home by lowly Wigan yesterday while the pressure mounted on Newcastle manager Sam Allardyce after a 2-0 loss at home to Manchester City.

The Reds and Magpies were booed off the field by their fans. Liverpool slipped out of the top four in the Premier League standings and Newcastle lost for the third game in a row.

Also, U.S. goalkeeper Brad Friedel saved a penalty kick and Blackburn edged Sunderland 1-0. An injury-time goal by Stelios Giannakopoulos gave Bolton a 1-0 victory over bottom-place Derby.

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez fielded Fernando Torres as a lone striker at home to a team in the relegation zone even though his club needed a victory to stand any chance of getting closer to Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea in the title race.

Torres gave the Reds the lead in the 49th minute when Steven Gerrard's pass found Steve Finnan, whose low cross was turned home by the Spanish striker. Titus Bramble evened the score in the 80th minute after Gerrard failed to clear the ball. Wigan climbed out of the relegation zone and Sunderland slipped to 18th.

Jeers

The result was greeted by rare jeers from Liverpool fans as the Reds slipped to fifth below Manchester City Liverpool have a game in hand, they are 12 points behind leaders Arsenal.

Elano gave Sven-Goran Eriksson's Manchester City a 38th-minute lead at Newcastle with a low, left-footed strike after Darius Vassell had guided a pass from Stephen Ireland into the Brazilian's path.

Michael Owen went on for the second half, but City went farther ahead in the 76th minute on Fernandes Gelson's goal seconds after he joined the game off the bench. City's victory at St. James' Park was its first on the road in the league since opening day in August.