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Neil Lennon says he couldn’t have asked for any more from his players after holding Liverpool to a 0-0 draw in the fourth round of the FA Cup at Anfield.
Bolton did have chances to win the game, with Eidur Gudjohnsen twice coming close in the second half.
Up the other end Liverpool were left frustrated by a resolute Bolton backline, with Adam Bogdan in fine form between the sticks.
And speaking after the final whistle Lennon praised his players, saying the draw was thoroughly deserved.
“We knew we were going to be under pressure and that we wouldn’t have the lion’s share of possession, but we dug in and thoroughly deserved the draw,” Lennon said.
“I thought that our goalkeeper and defence were absolutely outstanding, and you need that when you come to places like this.
“To come away from Anfield with a clean sheet, having seen how they played against Chelsea recently, we’re very happy.
“We’re still in the competition, which is all we can ask for.
“We’re lucky to have two very good goalkeepers. Lonergan has been fantastic for us in the Championship and we felt like Adam needed some game time. He’d done well in the cup tie against Wigan and we felt like we should keep that run going.
“Adam’s mentality and attitude was outstanding. He’s an excellent goalkeeper and he showed that today.
“We dropped a little deeper in the second half. That wasn’t really planned and kind of happened subconsciously. We changed things around a little bit when we started to tire.
“We wanted a bit of pace at the back so we decided to go with Tim in the middle. Coutinho, Lallana, Sterling – they’re all very quick players and we were able to keep them out tonight.
“I couldn’t have asked for any more from the players today. We had Emile and Eidur up top, and in the end Eidur has gone the 90. Our players will sleep well tonight, that’s for sure.
“Eidur did have a few chances in the second half. He’s the player you want the chances to fall to, but to be fair they were difficult ones.
“Liverpool played very well. Some of the football they played was fantastic.
“It was a privilege to be out there tonight, as manager of Bolton Wanderers against Brendan’s Liverpool at Anfield.
“Some people say the cup competitions get in the way of the league; I don’t see it like that. From my own experiences in the game, the more competitions you’re in the better. It creates a real feel-good factor around the place.
“We’re down to the barebones now in terms of our squad. We’ve a few big league game to navigate before the replay, so we can’t start getting carried away.”
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Bolton did have chances to win the game, with Eidur Gudjohnsen twice coming close in the second half.
Up the other end Liverpool were left frustrated by a resolute Bolton backline, with Adam Bogdan in fine form between the sticks.
And speaking after the final whistle Lennon praised his players, saying the draw was thoroughly deserved.
“We knew we were going to be under pressure and that we wouldn’t have the lion’s share of possession, but we dug in and thoroughly deserved the draw,” Lennon said.
“I thought that our goalkeeper and defence were absolutely outstanding, and you need that when you come to places like this.
“To come away from Anfield with a clean sheet, having seen how they played against Chelsea recently, we’re very happy.
“We’re still in the competition, which is all we can ask for.
“We’re lucky to have two very good goalkeepers. Lonergan has been fantastic for us in the Championship and we felt like Adam needed some game time. He’d done well in the cup tie against Wigan and we felt like we should keep that run going.
“Adam’s mentality and attitude was outstanding. He’s an excellent goalkeeper and he showed that today.
“We dropped a little deeper in the second half. That wasn’t really planned and kind of happened subconsciously. We changed things around a little bit when we started to tire.
“We wanted a bit of pace at the back so we decided to go with Tim in the middle. Coutinho, Lallana, Sterling – they’re all very quick players and we were able to keep them out tonight.
“I couldn’t have asked for any more from the players today. We had Emile and Eidur up top, and in the end Eidur has gone the 90. Our players will sleep well tonight, that’s for sure.
“Eidur did have a few chances in the second half. He’s the player you want the chances to fall to, but to be fair they were difficult ones.
“Liverpool played very well. Some of the football they played was fantastic.
“It was a privilege to be out there tonight, as manager of Bolton Wanderers against Brendan’s Liverpool at Anfield.
“Some people say the cup competitions get in the way of the league; I don’t see it like that. From my own experiences in the game, the more competitions you’re in the better. It creates a real feel-good factor around the place.
“We’re down to the barebones now in terms of our squad. We’ve a few big league game to navigate before the replay, so we can’t start getting carried away.”
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