Rafael Benítez's conviction fails to disguise Liverpool's lack of direction

A dreadful first half gave way to a solid if unspectacular recovery before a late flourish reminded Liverpool's fans of the quality in their side. Rafael Benítez is unearthing evidence to support his conviction that Liverpool's season will follow the pattern of this game, yet the sense of a club without direction prevails. From top to bottom there is ­confusion over where Liverpool are heading, and not only in the congested scrap for the fourth Champions League place. An unannounced visit from Tom Hicks triggered a demonstration from roughly 150 supporters after the game, the chants of "Yanks out" piercing the air for almost two hours and delaying the co-owner's exit. The Texan refused to say if he was present for discussions over new investment, or the lack of it, to consider the interest from Juventus in Benítez or simply to take in a show. If he had hoped to gauge the level of support for the manager, Hicks, who nodded off at one point during the game, could not have answered if he had tried. Benítez today denied claims he has agreed personal terms with Juventus and is scheduled to finalise a summer move to Stadio delle Alpi with the Italian club's lawyers today. In a statement on the club's website he said: "Contrary to reports in the Italian media this weekend, I want to make it absolutely clear I have no agreement with Juventus and have not and will not be meeting Juventus or their representatives or any other club. I have a long term contract with Liverpool and I'll repeat what I said on Friday that I am happy here and my only focus is to do my job as well as I can to get the team back into to the top four, beginning with the derby against Everton." Three times a section of the Kop stirred into a rendition of Benítez's name, shortly after both goals and again after the final whistle. It never caught on. Too much politics has infected an institution which was always intended to entertain and enthral and weary supporters have cause to reserve judgment on the games being played off the field. Even something as trivial as the late introduction of Ryan Babel was a test of their loyalty, the player only having been reprieved for ­indiscretions and poor form by a lack of time and funds to find a suitable replacement. In another era, or under a different regime, Babel would now be pondering his mistakes at a lesser club. by Guardian Chalkboards On his encouragement of Juventus as a way to pressure Hicks and George ­Gillett into finding new investment, Benítez was unrepentant. "I didn't say anything strange," he said. "If a top side is ­watching you, you have to be proud. I also said I was, I am, really proud to be here. The fans know we have to fight and improve. I am talking about things they want when I say investment and a stadium so we are together in these aims and that is the ­situation now." It is debatable whether the Liverpool fans who helped keep Benítez in the job find satisfaction in the possibility of his leaving in the summer. Arguably they may take greater comfort in the spirited reaction of their players recently, and a performance against Bolton that confirmed uncertainty has not infected the dressing room. Liverpool are now unbeaten for six league games. Five clean sheets in that sequence are timely, with Everton, ­Arsenal and Manchester City to come. Liverpool's resolve was examined by a Bolton side who could have been two goals ahead before Dirk Kuyt finished a fine ­collective move, converting Alberto Aquilani's back-post header. Tamir Cohen and Lee Chung-yong were denied with only Reina to beat, the South Korean, having rounded the keeper, by an excellent goalline clearance from Sotirios Kyrgiakos. "His attitude has been contagious and that is a positive," said Benítez of the £1.5m Greek defender. Emiliano Insúa capped a much-improved display with the second goal, thanks to a wicked deflection off Kevin Davies, and Liverpool could have doubled their margin of victory. In the circumstances, three points sufficed.