Benitez prepares Pool for tough tie with Bolton

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has prepared his side for another test of their resolve against Bolton after coming through a trying second half in their 1-0 win over Tottenham on Saturday.

Luis Garcia sent Liverpool back into the Premiership top four with the only goal of the game in tough conditions at White Hart Lane as the match ended in the heaviest of downpours.

Victory over Bolton would lift the Reds another place, replacing Wanderers in third, but the Liverpool boss is not expecting a straightforward return to Anfield, particularly with Bolton's physical approach and their tendency to crowd the goalkeeper at set-plays.

"In all the set-pieces, in throw-ins and everything, it's two or three players taking advantage of this.

"I've seen two or three players around the goalkeeper and it's a free-kick, it's as simple as that."

"You cannot teach the players - it's just to show character and after that it depends on the experience of the referee."

Benitez's side have been criticised for their away form this season but have now won three of their last four league games on the road, the three victories coming without conceding a goal.

Bolton, despite their unfashionable approach, are the only club standing in the way of the traditional Premiership top four.

Benitez, however, expects the top four to be challenged throughout the season, with Portsmouth also building a solid platform for a surge in the second half of the campaign.

"Portsmouth have done a good job and also Bolton and Tottenham are very good teams," added Benitez. "It will be difficult. It's important to be ready for the battle over more months."

As the matches build up in Liverpool's challenge for a top-four finish - as well as their involvement in three other cup competitions - Benitez's rotation policy could benefit the 2005 Champions League winners.

The Spaniard, who took off Craig Bellamy against Spurs as a precaution after the striker had a tight hamstring, could bring other players into the reckoning in a busy start to the year.

"You cannot play two games in two days, physically it's impossible to be fit for both games," he said. "You can play well if you're a good player or if you understand the game and have game-intelligence."

He added: "If you have possibilities, it's important. If we have some injuries, especially in the middle, we need to manage them.

"We try to use all the squad, we think that it is important - especially this year after the World Cup - that players could have their normal precision with physical condition.

"Sometimes, with the quality of the players the difference is too big and you need to keep some players but this is a big risk at the end of the day."

Skipper Steven Gerrard clattered into Calum Davenport and Tom Huddlestone towards the end of the victory over Spurs, but Benitez played down the incidents.

"Sometimes the players are nervous and want to win. It's not easy when there is contact, sometimes they lose their control but it's not really important," he said.