Three headed goals eased the pressure on Gerard Houllier as Liverpool celebrated Christmas with a much-needed 3-1 win over Bolton at Anfield on Friday.
Finnish international Sami Hyypia, Frenchman Florent Sinama-Pongolle and Vladimir Smicer were the men on target while Henrik Pederson grabbed a late consolation for Bolton.
The win kept Liverpool in ninth place in the Premiership but still on course for a Champions League place as they stand just three points adrift of fourth place in the standings.
The victory was also quick revenge for Liverpool, who had been beaten by Bolton here in the League Cup earlier in the month.
Liverpool started the match with Harry Kewell back in the line-up after a three-week absence with an ankle problem while Sinama-Pongolle also got a start while Emile Heskey and El Hadji Diouf were dropped to the bench.
The opening goal was Hyypia’s first goal of the season and it came after 30 minutes when the defender was first to a corner from Danny Murphy.
Bolton, who went into the game with just one defeat in their last 10 matches, almost grabbed an equaliser four minutes from the interval when Ivan Campo headed just wide.
Sinama-Pongolle made it 2-0 just after the interval when the young French striker headed in a cross from John Arne Riise.
After 54 minutes, it was 3-0.
Per Frandsen brought down Steven Gerrard and from Murphy’s free-kick, Smicer ran into the six-yard box unmarked to head home before substitute Pedersen grabbed a late consolation for the visitors. — Sapa-AFP