If Anfield owners Hicks and Gillet thought that they would be able to get rid of Rafa Benitez, they surely would be thinking otherwise now. The fans marched through the streets of Liverpool chanting the beleaguered manager’s name before their team responded with a crushing victory over a Porto side that are no walkover. And prior to the Porto victory was an annihilation of Newcastle at St James'.
If anyone sees a more one-sided game this season in a match not involving Derby being away from home, I would be surprised. In truth the 3-0 score line didn’t reflect the Reds' superiority; Torres alone could have bagged 4 goals.
The game could be contrasted with the Porto one, though, in which though the scoreline slightly flattered the Reds. Still, it showed that the teams spirit of Istanbul remained with the players continuing to fight even at times when the quality of the play was lacking.
In any case, the result is what mattered and the fans chanted the players’ names - Benitez’s, too - throughout the night. The manager was clearly touched, saluting the fans and praising them in his post match press conference.
If Hicks wants to fill his new stadium, getting rid of Benitez would be a miscalculated error in many ways. He would lose the backing of the fans; he only has to look at the tapes of when the Glazers needed numerous police security to leave Old Trafford for a glimpse into the future.
However, fans are fickle: Manchester United fans do not hold the Glazers up in such a negative light anymore. This is due to success; their team won the league and then the owners backed Ferguson to the hilt in the summer.
But nonetheless, getting a new manager into Liverpool will not take them closer to winning the league; any new man will come with new ideas, ideologies, and will want different players. The adaptation process takes time, and it would mean that the effort spent during Rafa’s tenure would have been pointless. Many players are at the club because of the man; the thought of losing players like Torres, Reina and Alonso should cause anyone connected with Liverpool some missed sleep.
It has been unfortunate that Rafa aired his recent grievances to the media - that was very un-Liverpool like. It has been distressing seeing this apparent slanging match going on in the papers, fuelled by opportunistic journalists.
But one silver lining is that it's now clear to all that the communications lines behind the scenes have to be improved, and hopefully the chief executive, Rick Parry, is seeing to this.
In that sense, it will be interesting to see the outcomes of the talks between he and Benitez, scheduled for December 16th. Anything but glowing support given to Rafa will see the owners confined to America: they will be unwilling to sit amongst the fans that greeted them with such optimism earlier. It could be different this time around.
Gary Megson’s Bolton pose a different proposition these days, too. After struggling earlier in the season, they have recorded a great result against Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena – it's no mean feat to get a very credible draw there against a rejuvenated Munich side.
They followed this result with a hard fought win over a Manchester United side who had been in great form of late and had also been scoring goals for fun.
As such, they will approach this game believing that they can get a shock result after their recent exploits. They know the points are vital as they look to avoid relegation and propel themselves further up the league.
Megson decided to rest Anelka and Diouf - both former Reds players - in Boltons Uefa cup tie against Aris Salonika which they drew 1-1. This displayed where Megson’s priorities lay.
Bolton go to Anfield looking to follow last Saturday's shock victory over Manchester United with another against Liverpool, and thus end the Reds' unbeaten league record. The Trotters are looking to complete back-to-back wins for the first time in 20 Premier League outings, which would also take their all-time total of wins in this league to 100. Liverpool have won seven league games; Bolton have lost seven.
Both clubs were successful in Europe midweek, but both need victories from their final group matches to qualify to the knock out stages of their respective competitions. The Merseysiders have not lost a league game in nearly seven months, and boast the tightest defence in the highest league. Liverpool are protecting an unbeaten home Premier League record against Bolton, comprising seven wins and one draw
FORM GUIDE
Liverpool
Nov 28 v Porto (H) WON 4-1 (Champ League)
Nov 24 v Newcastle (A) WON 3-0 (PREM)
Nov 10 v Fulham (H) WON 2-0 (PREM)
Nov 6 v Besiktas (H) WON 8-0 (Champ League)
Nov 3 v Blackburn (A) DREW 0-0 (PREM)
Bolton
29 Nov v Aris Salonika (H) DREW 1-1 (UEFA)
24 Nov v Man United (H) WON 1-0 (PREM)
11 Nov v Middlesbrough (H) DREW 0-0 (PREM)
8 Nov v Bayern Munich (A) DREW 2-2 (UEFA)
4 Nov v West Ham (A) DREW 1-1 (PREM)
TEAM NEWS
Liverpool
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has no fresh injury worries to contend with as the hosts look to maintain their unbeaten record. Xabi Alonso, Daniel Agger and Jermaine Pennant are still sidelined for Liverpool. Peter Crouch is pushing for a place in the starting line-up after scoring off the bench against Porto. Fernando Torres is expected to lead the attack with Crouch battling it out with Dirk Kuyt and Andrei Voronin to partner the Spaniard. Benitez is expected to shuffle his pack with Harry Kewell and John Arne Riise both possibly returning to the starting XI.
Probable Starting X1 (Reina, Finnan, Carragher, Hyypia, Riise, Kewell, Lucas, Mascherano, Gerrard, Torres, Kuyt)
Bolton
Bolton boss Gary Megson is forced into making three changes, with Kevin Nolan and Nicky Hunt suspended and Danny Guthrie ineligible to play against his parent club. Ivan Campo is set to return to the starting XI after being ineligible in Europe. Gavin McCann is doubtful after picking up a nasty head injury against Aris Salonika. Nicolas Anelka will be restored to the side after starting only as a substitute against Aris Salonika.
Probable Starting XI (Jaaskelainen, O’Brien, Joey O’Brien, Meite, Cid, McCann, Campo, Giannakopulos, Anelka, Diouf, Davies)
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Liverpool
Fernando Torres has been in devastating form and seems to be taking of the burden off Steven Gerrard's shoulders; he has too often has been left to carry the side.
Bolton
Anelka has been in great form, and loves scoring against his old sides. His pace will be a big threat.
If anyone sees a more one-sided game this season in a match not involving Derby being away from home, I would be surprised. In truth the 3-0 score line didn’t reflect the Reds' superiority; Torres alone could have bagged 4 goals.
The game could be contrasted with the Porto one, though, in which though the scoreline slightly flattered the Reds. Still, it showed that the teams spirit of Istanbul remained with the players continuing to fight even at times when the quality of the play was lacking.
In any case, the result is what mattered and the fans chanted the players’ names - Benitez’s, too - throughout the night. The manager was clearly touched, saluting the fans and praising them in his post match press conference.
If Hicks wants to fill his new stadium, getting rid of Benitez would be a miscalculated error in many ways. He would lose the backing of the fans; he only has to look at the tapes of when the Glazers needed numerous police security to leave Old Trafford for a glimpse into the future.
However, fans are fickle: Manchester United fans do not hold the Glazers up in such a negative light anymore. This is due to success; their team won the league and then the owners backed Ferguson to the hilt in the summer.
But nonetheless, getting a new manager into Liverpool will not take them closer to winning the league; any new man will come with new ideas, ideologies, and will want different players. The adaptation process takes time, and it would mean that the effort spent during Rafa’s tenure would have been pointless. Many players are at the club because of the man; the thought of losing players like Torres, Reina and Alonso should cause anyone connected with Liverpool some missed sleep.
It has been unfortunate that Rafa aired his recent grievances to the media - that was very un-Liverpool like. It has been distressing seeing this apparent slanging match going on in the papers, fuelled by opportunistic journalists.
But one silver lining is that it's now clear to all that the communications lines behind the scenes have to be improved, and hopefully the chief executive, Rick Parry, is seeing to this.
In that sense, it will be interesting to see the outcomes of the talks between he and Benitez, scheduled for December 16th. Anything but glowing support given to Rafa will see the owners confined to America: they will be unwilling to sit amongst the fans that greeted them with such optimism earlier. It could be different this time around.
Gary Megson’s Bolton pose a different proposition these days, too. After struggling earlier in the season, they have recorded a great result against Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena – it's no mean feat to get a very credible draw there against a rejuvenated Munich side.
They followed this result with a hard fought win over a Manchester United side who had been in great form of late and had also been scoring goals for fun.
As such, they will approach this game believing that they can get a shock result after their recent exploits. They know the points are vital as they look to avoid relegation and propel themselves further up the league.
Megson decided to rest Anelka and Diouf - both former Reds players - in Boltons Uefa cup tie against Aris Salonika which they drew 1-1. This displayed where Megson’s priorities lay.
Bolton go to Anfield looking to follow last Saturday's shock victory over Manchester United with another against Liverpool, and thus end the Reds' unbeaten league record. The Trotters are looking to complete back-to-back wins for the first time in 20 Premier League outings, which would also take their all-time total of wins in this league to 100. Liverpool have won seven league games; Bolton have lost seven.
Both clubs were successful in Europe midweek, but both need victories from their final group matches to qualify to the knock out stages of their respective competitions. The Merseysiders have not lost a league game in nearly seven months, and boast the tightest defence in the highest league. Liverpool are protecting an unbeaten home Premier League record against Bolton, comprising seven wins and one draw
FORM GUIDE
Liverpool
Nov 28 v Porto (H) WON 4-1 (Champ League)
Nov 24 v Newcastle (A) WON 3-0 (PREM)
Nov 10 v Fulham (H) WON 2-0 (PREM)
Nov 6 v Besiktas (H) WON 8-0 (Champ League)
Nov 3 v Blackburn (A) DREW 0-0 (PREM)
Bolton
29 Nov v Aris Salonika (H) DREW 1-1 (UEFA)
24 Nov v Man United (H) WON 1-0 (PREM)
11 Nov v Middlesbrough (H) DREW 0-0 (PREM)
8 Nov v Bayern Munich (A) DREW 2-2 (UEFA)
4 Nov v West Ham (A) DREW 1-1 (PREM)
TEAM NEWS
Liverpool
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has no fresh injury worries to contend with as the hosts look to maintain their unbeaten record. Xabi Alonso, Daniel Agger and Jermaine Pennant are still sidelined for Liverpool. Peter Crouch is pushing for a place in the starting line-up after scoring off the bench against Porto. Fernando Torres is expected to lead the attack with Crouch battling it out with Dirk Kuyt and Andrei Voronin to partner the Spaniard. Benitez is expected to shuffle his pack with Harry Kewell and John Arne Riise both possibly returning to the starting XI.
Probable Starting X1 (Reina, Finnan, Carragher, Hyypia, Riise, Kewell, Lucas, Mascherano, Gerrard, Torres, Kuyt)
Bolton
Bolton boss Gary Megson is forced into making three changes, with Kevin Nolan and Nicky Hunt suspended and Danny Guthrie ineligible to play against his parent club. Ivan Campo is set to return to the starting XI after being ineligible in Europe. Gavin McCann is doubtful after picking up a nasty head injury against Aris Salonika. Nicolas Anelka will be restored to the side after starting only as a substitute against Aris Salonika.
Probable Starting XI (Jaaskelainen, O’Brien, Joey O’Brien, Meite, Cid, McCann, Campo, Giannakopulos, Anelka, Diouf, Davies)
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Liverpool
Fernando Torres has been in devastating form and seems to be taking of the burden off Steven Gerrard's shoulders; he has too often has been left to carry the side.
Bolton
Anelka has been in great form, and loves scoring against his old sides. His pace will be a big threat.
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