Mido is itching to play alongside fellow-Egyptian striker Amr Zaki when Wigan host title-chasing Liverpool.

He hopes the pair can forge a successful partnership that can fire the seventh-placed Latics into contention for UEFA Cup football.

"I have watched Wigan so many times - because Zaki is here I have watched them more than anyone else," he said.

"I just think Wigan have a great team at the moment with a lot of attacking players.

The 25-year-old was brought in on-loan from Middlesbrough on Friday to replace Emile Heskey who left to join Aston Villa. Despite the loss of such a key player, Mido thinks Wigan are still contenders for a European place.

"The team is working very hard and is solid on the pitch and hopefully I will add to that and we can finish in a European place.

"It always makes it easier for you if you go to a new place and play with a guy who you have been playing with for years.

"I am glad he (Zaki) is here and hopefully myself being here will add to his game."

Mido also hinted his relationship with Boro manager Gareth Southgate was not what it could have been and that was part of the reason he left the Riverside.

"I needed to be somewhere where I could get more football. I thought it was better to be somewhere else," he said.

"I needed to work with a manager who has more belief in me and I think Steve (Bruce) does that.

"I have always known Steve is a great manager and just being here for five days I have seen the work he does."