Liverpool 2 Bolton Wanderers 0: A DREADFUL first half gave way to a solid if unspectacular recovery before a late flourish reminded Liverpool's fans of the quality in their side. Rafael Benitez is unearthing evidence to support his conviction that Liverpool's season will follow the pattern of this game, yet the sense of a club without direction prevails.
From top to bottom there is confusion over where Liverpool are heading, and not only in the congested scrap for the fourth Champions League place.
An unannounced visit from Tom Hicks triggered a demonstration from roughly 150 supporters after the game, the chants of “Yanks out” piercing the air for almost two hours and delaying the co-owner’s exit.
The Texan refused to say if he was present for discussions over new investment, or the lack of it, to consider the interest from Juventus in Benitez or simply to take in a show. If he had hoped to gauge the level of support for the manager, Hicks, who nodded off at one point during the game, could not have answered if he had tried.
Three times a section of the Kop stirred into a rendition of Benitez’s name, shortly after both goals and again after the final whistle. It never caught on. Too much politics has infected an institution which was always intended to entertain and enthral and weary supporters have cause to reserve judgment on the games being played off the field.
Even something as trivial as the late introduction of Ryan Babel was a test of their loyalty, the player only having been reprieved for indiscretions and poor form by a lack of time and funds to find a suitable replacement. In another era, or under a different regime, Babel would now be pondering his mistakes at a lesser club.
On his encouragement of Juventus as a way to pressure Hicks and George Gillett into finding new investment, Benitez was unrepentant. “I didn’t say anything strange,” he said. “If a top side is watching you, you have to be proud. I also said I was, I am, really proud to be here. The fans know we have to fight and improve. I am talking about things they want when I say investment and a stadium, so we are together in these aims and that is the situation now.”
It is debatable whether the Liverpool fans who helped keep Benitez in the job find satisfaction in the possibility of his leaving in the summer. Arguably they may take greater comfort in the spirited reaction of their players recently, and a performance against Bolton that confirmed uncertainty has not infected the dressingroom. Liverpool are now unbeaten for six league games. Five clean sheets in that sequence are timely, with Everton, Arsenal and Manchester City to come.
Liverpool’s resolve was examined by a Bolton side who could have been two goals ahead before Dirk Kuyt finished a fine collective move, converting Alberto Aquilani’s back-post header.
Tamir Cohen and Lee Chung-yong were denied with only Reina to beat, the South Korean, having rounded the goalkeeper, by an excellent goal-line clearance from Sotirios Kyrgiakos.
“His attitude has been contagious and that is a positive,” said Benitez of the €1.7 million Greek defender.
Emiliano Insua capped a much-improved display with the second goal, thanks to a wicked deflection off Kevin Davies.
Guardian Service
