Liverpool fans renewed their protest against the club’s American owners as they beat Bolton.
An angry mob of more than 200 gathered outside the main entrance for 90 minutes after the game chanting “Yank The Liars Out” after one of the owners, Tom Hicks, watched the win.
Hicks was effectively trapped inside the stadium after club officials advised him to stay put rather than risk a explosive confrontation.
An insider said: “He has been told to stay in the directors’ lounge for his own good. The protesters have all the exits covered.”
Manager Rafael Benitez exerted his own pressure by confirming on the eve of the match that Juventus were interested in him.
The Spaniard clearly feels he needs transfer funds to strengthen the club’s challenge at home and abroad next season.
Liverpool have written to the Italian club denouncing the approach.
Benitez said: “I know that the owner is here and if he is around maybe I will see him.”
He insisted there would be no player coming or going before the end of this transfer window.
Benitez praised his side for raising their game in the second half.
Dirk Kuyt put Liverpool in front eight minutes before the break before an own goal by Kevin Davies in the 70th made it two.
Benitez said: “We didn’t play so well in the first half but I was pleased with the second half and the result. We are improving and hopefully we will keep on like this.”
Bolton boss Owen Coyle felt his side threw away chances and were undone by two ‘bad’ goals.
He said: “There was a foul in the build-up to their second goal. I asked the referee if he’d seen it and he said he hadn’t.
“We were very good in the first half and I’ve told the players we’ve got a lot to look forward to.”
Liverpool stay fifth but edged to within a point of Spurs in fourth after Harry Redknapp’s men saw Liam Ridgewell snatch Birmingham a late leveller for a 1-1 draw.
Jermain Defoe’s 17th of the season had put Spurs ahead and Redknapp said: “I can’t complain, we passed the ball well.”
Two goals from Gabriel Agbonlahor moved Villa into sixth with a 2-0 win at Fulham.
Source: MirrorFootball