Anfield must have felt a very different kind of place for Gerard Houllier yesterday as he shuffled out to the edge of his coaching area to supervise the substitutions. For a start, there was no booing from the Liverpool fans, and the two goals scored early in the second half will lift the pressure on the Liverpool manager's regime, for the near future at least. Liverpool's third goal, which arrived after 54 minutes, was headed in by Vladimir Smicer, who finished his side's woeful defeat by Southampton two weeks ago in dispute with a portion of the Kop. That will be a reminder to Houllier of just how quickly fortunes can change in the Premiership, but the fundamental question at Liverpool will remain the same: are this team serious contenders for the fourth Champions League place?
Sam Wallace, Telegraph
Hyypia gives head start to another Liverpool uprising
The top triumvirate will hardly be quaking in their boots, but Liverpool's latest revival has sparked belatedly into life. Now must come proof that this is not merely another false dawn. Victory here yesterday came comfortably, the anxiety omnipresent on Merseyside in recent weeks only briefly creeping into the home side's approach during a stodgy opening half-hour. Once an advantage had been eked out, dawdling opponents were swept away so nonchalantly that any suggestion this was a test of Liverpool's mettle rang ridiculously hollow.
Dominic Fifield, Guardian
Kirkland blow mars Liverpool's triumph of passion
Buoyed by the cunning and running of Vladimir Smicer and some sublime front play from Florent Sinama-Pongolle, Liverpool finally gave Gérard Houllier, their manager, something to cheer at Anfield yesterday. But no sooner had Houllier entertained notions of fourth place, should results go his way tomorrow, did news filter through that Chris Kirkland, the goalkeeper, will miss up to four weeks with a broken finger. This win alone, against a Bolton side curiously devoid of industry and invention, will not bring an end to speculation surrounding Houllier’s future at Liverpool, but at least he will be breathing a little easier today. “I could sense a greater feeling of solidarity, everybody seemed to work for each other and run that extra yard for each other,” Houllier said. “It was a very good performance.” Liverpool’s form, or lack of it, may be one of the mysteries of this Barclaycard Premiership season, but quite what Bolton’s loyal following will make of their abject performance after the heroics of recent weeks is another matter altogether.
James Ducker, The Times
Liverpool see light again as Bolton fade into shadows
Liverpool exacted revenge for their Carling Cup defeat at the start of the month as it was made all too easy for them to dominate the return game in the Premiership. Bolton were a shadow of their usual selves as Liverpool strolled to the win they needed to prevent them losing ground in the battle for fourth place, which is the highest to which they can aspire.
Dave Hadfield, Independent