Rafael Benitez rotated three players from the starting eleven that got the 4-1 victory over Porto last Wednesday, but the word rotation seems to be well forgotten now. It’s like water under the bridge now, as the same so talked about rotation, Rafael’s tactics and the sublime big signing in Summer seem to be creating a great bridge that connects ‘almost there’ to ‘actually being there’. And yesterday against the dour side of Bolton, currently rather on form after changing the affable Sammy Lee to Gary Megson, Liverpool got there and what they wanted in the first forty-five minutes. They did not have to dig deep and bring fresh legs to maybe provide different options and ideas at the last quarter of the match, as we have seen so much in the past and had to endure. The business was done in the first forty-five minutes. The sometimes tense and frustrating affairs yesterday were replaced by free-flowing, confident and attractive football. Benitez is building a slick, shiny bridge that in itself is a sight to behold and its slickness is not impeding the trustworthiness of it all, as the other clean sheet obtained attests.

Sami Hyypia, definitely the most inspiring signing by Gerrard Houllier opened the score via a Steven Gerrard floated free-kick. The Finn notched his second goal of the season yesterday, and the tradition of a customary few goals per season by the elegant centre-back looks to be still alive. Traditions do linger on at Anfield. Then just before half-time, Fernando Torres oozing with class once again, latched on a Gerrard’s pass, and finished with the expertise of a veteran and grace of an artist. Torres does makes things happen, he moves to and fro, he beats opponents one on one, that was all known before his signing. What was questioned before he had his first kick for Liverpool was his goal account at Atletico Madrid. That question seems to be all history now, as an account of eleven goals at the very start of December testifies. Torres took to the Premiership with ease, the usual ‘give him at least one season to settle’ has never been used for El Nino. He rather looks that he came from some Eastern cold place rather than sunny Spain.

Then in the second half, Peter Crouch got Liverpool another penalty which Gerrard duly finishing. The fresh Babel put the last touches on Liverpool’s performance as he pounced on Dirk Kuyt’s saved shot and finished in an empty net. Again, the young Dutchman found the net shortly after coming in.

November has been a very good month and now December has started on a perfect note. A strong momentum has been now set up, preparing Liverpool in the best possible way for the big matches coming on shortly.