There must have been times this autumn when the Anfield board wondered "what if". As Liverpool huffed and puffed directors would hardly have been human had they not questioned their appointment last summer of Brendan Rodgers as manager rather than Roberto Martínez.

With Martínez's Wigan Athletic in town and the Merseysiders stuck in mid-table this represented a potentially awkward afternoon for Rodgers but it ended in a triumph that smacked of a vindication.

Perhaps equally importantly, a win that emphasised Luis Suárez's enduring indispensability to Liverpool also marked José Enrique's dramatically impressive reincarnation as an attacking midfielder. While Suárez (twice) and José Enrique finished on the scoresheet, the converted Spanish left-back also created one goal and several chances.

"José's a terrific talent. I think he can really play that role," Rodgers said. "Luis took his goals very well, he's a master marksman and his movement was outstanding, but today was about the team. The pressure we built up was very strong and we were much more educated on the ball. I'm delighted and thrilled for the players, they give me so much every day."

Stewart Downing's regression – the erstwhile England winger was not even on a home bench including Joe Cole and will surely be back at Middlesbrough on loan soon – has offered scope for experimentation wide on the left and José Enrique gleefully reinvented himself on that wing.

Even so, he and Liverpool started slowly, taking time to work out Martínez's 3-4-1-2 formation. Although Ben Watson – badly missed after being carried off with a broken leg that may require surgery – very nearly turned a Suárez shot into his own net and Ali al-Habsi performed wonders to repel Suso's splendidly ferocious shot, Rodgers' players initially found the visiting defensive trinity, Maynor Figueroa especially, stubborn opponents.

If Wigan were not exactly bombarding the returning José Reina's area they enjoyed plentiful midfield possession; a situation Liverpool's manager rectified by replacing Suso with the more combative, and disciplined Jordan Henderson. While Steven Gerrard remained in a holding role alongside Joe Allen, the England captain was able to interchange positions with Henderson, enjoying increased attacking scope.

As the interval approached, a clever Gerrard pass and a lovely left-foot cross from José Enrique wrong-footed the Wigan defence. Finally freed, Suárez shot only for Habsi to save superbly again.

Rodgers is big on patience ultimately reaping rewards and, sure enough, the new half brought a new Liverpudlian dawn. After intercepting Jean Beausejour's weak pass – the visitors' first real mistake – Raheem Sterling surged forward, rounding Figueroa, before picking out Suárez who, expertly, lashed the ball high into the net.

It soon got worse for Wigan. José Enrique – by now really looking reborn as part of the creative advanced guard – played Suárez in and the Uruguayan slid the ball low past Habsi. So much for theories that Suárez is not that hot a finisher – it was his 13th goal of the season.

Disappointed, Martínez could not resist claiming that the Kop's darling was arguably fortunate to still be on the pitch after a perceived stamp on David Jones, apparently unseen by the referee.

Dull and tentative before the break, Liverpool had morphed into an exhilarating ensemble and when Habsi could only parry Sterling's cross-shot, José Enrique tapped home his first goal for the club. By now the Spaniard was irrepressible and he would surely have created another goal had a sitter not fallen to Henderson's weaker left foot.

No matter; José Enrique's career and Liverpool's season may just have been transformed. Providing Suárez stays fit and avoids a January poaching.