Gerrard gem spares Red faces
When it was put to Sam Allardyce that Bolton Wanderers began a game against Liverpool as favourites, his response was to question the enquirer's grip on reality. "We're in fantasy land," were his exact words. Not for the first time this season, Bolton Wanderers' manager proved right, but only just. His team, put together by wheeling and dealing that would stretch the belief even of Arthur Daley, took the multi-million Liverpool side to the limit yesterday but could not quite defeat them. Even then it required a spectacular save from Jerzy Dudek in injury time to deny Kevin Davies. Nicky Hunt's first ever goal and Youri Djorkaeff's umpteenth twice put Bolton ahead but Liverpool, who squandered enough chances to win two matches, equalised on each occasion, through Sami Hyypia and Steven Gerrard. Nevertheless, the draw did nothing for the visitors Champions' League aspirations. That makes it three points from their last four matches and with Newcastle winning yesterday, their chance of getting the fourth ticket to next season's European jamboree is dwindling. "We were happy with the performance," Gérard Houllier, the Liverpool manager, said, "but disappointed with the result." Plus ça change, he might have added.
Guy Hodgson, Independent
Hunt hits heights for brave Bolton
At least nobody can say any longer that Liverpool are boring. As Janet Jackson found at the Super Bowl, however, a drastic change of image is not always beneficial. For the second week in succession, Gerard Houllier’s side played an adventurous part in a vivid 90 minutes only to gain a point. The supporters who moaned as Liverpool counter-attacked their way to a Treble in 2000-01, and second place in the Premiership the following season, would surely welcome a couple of 1-0 victories now. In taking their tally of dropped points to nine in four games, Liverpool moved further away from a Champions League spot. Hauled back into the game almost single-handedly by Steven Gerrard, they were almost bounced back out of it in the final moments. Liverpool attacked with abandon but also defended in the same manner, and in the 89th minute Bruno N’Gotty was allowed a free header, which he sent wide. Then, in stoppage time, Kevin Davies found himself waved through to shoot at Jerzy Dudek. Luckily for Sami Hyypia and Co, their goalkeeper saved.
Jonathan Northcroft, Sunday Times
Gerrard can't deny big Sam's pride
An absorbing contest ended in a just outcome but one from which Liverpool, twice required to come from behind, will take far less credit or pleasure than Sam Allardyce's ever-improving Bolton. Gérard Houllier, the beleaguered Liverpool manager, continues to sugar-coat his team's performances and talk a good game, but the simultaneous return of four of his biggest guns - Owen, Gerrard, Kewell and Carragher - from injury has hardly had the galvanising effect for which he had hoped or, indeed, which he needs if he is to preserve his job. Most worrying of all for Houllier, even if he does not admit so, must be the form of Michael Owen, now nine games without a goal - six since he returned from his annual sabbatical in the treatment room. Yesterday, he missed two glorious chances, heading directly at Jussi Jaaskelainen from six yards in the third minute then flashing a later attempt across the face of goal after an assist from Steven Gerrard. Thankfully, for Houllier and Liverpool, the provider of the latter chance is playing at a level to which few other players in the Premiership can aspire.
Ian Whittell, The Observer
Bolton in hunt for fourth
Bolton may not be lording it over Liverpool yet, but that time could be coming closer. Gerrard Houllier's team had to come from behind twice to salvage a point from this tense encounter. They believe all things are possible here these days, so they will not have been surprised to see their 20 year-old local boy advance from fullback to claim his first goal in senior football and give Bolton the lead. Not content with that, Nicky Hunt made a crucial block to retain the advantage and provided Henrik Pedersen with the opportunity he should have taken to compound Liverpool's anxiety. Even without the inspiration of Jay-Jay Okocha, Bolton have the range of talents to cope with most Premiership opposition and Liverpool's frustration was evident in the reaction of their more illustrious players. The rise and rise of Bolton has raised expectations even higher in these parts. Already in the Carling Cup final, they went into this match seeking a fourth consecutive Premiership victory, knowing it would lift them above Liverpool. Fourth place in the Premiership is Liverpool's objective and, with long absent players returning from injury, Gerard Houllier recognises nothing less than that would be acceptable. Michael Owen, who last scored in October, is restored to fitness and the goals, he is confident, will surely come.
Derick Allsop, Sunday Telegraph