Source: Liverpool_Echo
My Liverpool FC players will show true colours - Rafa Benitez
THERE has been plenty of soul searching going on at Melwood this week.
Manager Rafa Benitez didn't need to tell his players that they let themselves down during Monday's 3-1 defeat at the hands of Aston Villa.
A proud unbeaten home league record stretching back to December 2007 bit the dust as Liverpool slipped six points adrift of the early pace-setters.
Sloppy at the back and wasteful in front of goal, the Reds fell a long way below their usual high standards.
However, in the aftermath of that crushing disappointment has emerged a steely determination to put things right.
Benitez knows his side have a point to prove and he is confident of getting the right response at the Reebok Stadium today.
'The staff have been analysing things and talking with all the players,' he said.
'And the reaction of the players since the defeat to Villa has been really good.
'They have been working really hard and that's the only way to change things.
'We have to show character and clearly this team wants to show they are good enough.
'We got 86 points last season and this is more or less the same squad. The players know they can play better and they have been training harder to try to change the situation.
'The mentality of the players is good. Some of them have been here for five years with me and they know we can manage difficult situations.
'You never know what will happen in football but I can guarantee that the players will be trying to win from the first minute.
'If we can play well against Bolton then things will be easier.'
Two defeats in their opening three matches has left the Reds playing catch-up but the Spaniard insists there is no reason to panic.
'It's a situation you have to analyse properly,' he said.
'You have to stay calm and give confidence to the players.
'We are a top side and because we came so close last year people expected us to win a lot of games in a row.
