The first exchanges looked to be a continuation of the dismal Molineux display. By the end, the only continuation was the stream of clean sheets, and another good performance by Sotorios Kyrgiakos, better known as The Greek. And yes, in capital letters. An aerial presence in the back four has been a necessity as a whole conundrum about defending set-pieces has been a stable point in discussing the ills of Liverpool Football Club on the pitch. His height and aerial ability did give Liverpool something else, but today it was his feet and vision that kept a clean sheet, and denied Bolton an early lead that could have been a big blow to a fragile confidence. As Martin Skrtel was left for dead by a rampaging Chung-Yong Lee, and Pepe Reina somewhat rounded Kyrgiakos placed himself perfectly to clear off the line. When signing, Kyrgiakos called his move to Liverpool a dream move, that admittedly only happened only because of the dire situation Liverpool’s bank account is in, but he is making the most of such situation and his endeavour is a joy to watch.

The first scorer was another hard worker, that again proved when he’s got time to be in the opposition penalty area rather than the touchline, he can make his presence felt and remind that his predatory instincts are still intact. It was a good cross from the left by Emiliano Insua that was nodded down from the far corner into the path of the Dutch, with the latter admittedly only poking in with the delicacy of Tom Hicks’ son replying to a fan’s email. Like with the latter’s, the message got through fine enough.

Liverpool improved during the second forty-five minutes, with the captain particularly imposing himself further into the game and seemingly shaking off any traces of rust that looked to have hindered so much at Molineux. After David Ngog missed a sitter, it had to be an own goal that wrapped it all up for Liverpool, as a shot by Insua was turned in by Kevin Davies. Alberto Aquilani got substituted by Lucas Leiva, and while it may sound as a mere protection of a two goal lead, it gave Liverpool a further attacking impetus, after a rather shoddy display by the Italian, with many passes going astray and in perspective a reminder that dropping him for the Molineux match was not such a travesty. The Italian lad seems to be still on the mend, both physically and mentally.

A flurry of late chances were never converted to goals, but it was spiriting to see. Liverpool are now going through their best period of the season. Admittedly it does not say a lot, but four wins and no defeats in the last six matches is far from a bad return either. The home form so far in the league is as good as last season’s this time this year, with an actual superior goal difference.
Tom Hicks and George Gillett were apparently both at Anfield, but such a fact will be probably rubbed off like a drop of ink on a cheque paying their expenses for their trouble of getting at the mecca.