It was no surprise when Aquilani made way for Lucas midway through the second half.

Even the Brazilian’s greatest critics would have to admit Liverpool had much greater control of the contest after Lucas’ introduction.

Saturday was a tale of two Anfield new boys.

And while Aquilani struggled, Sotirios Kyrgiakos enhanced his growing reputation.

When the Greek was snapped up from AEK Athens last August, his arrival was met with universal groans.

His signing was confirmation that financial constraints had forced Benitez to delve into the bargain bin.

The lack of cash meant that hopes of landing either Hull’s Michael Turner or Stoke’s Ryan Shawcross had to be shelved.

Benitez only had £1.5million at his disposal and he spent it on a 30-year-old journeyman, who had a habit of getting himself sent off during an uninspiring 18-month spell at Rangers.

Signed as a replacement for long-serving Sami Hyypia, Kyrgiakos had quite an act to follow.

The smart money was on him spending most of the season playing with his pony tail on the bench before joining the long list of cheap foreign imports who tried but failed to make the grade at Anfield.

But injuries to Glen Johnson and Daniel Agger handed him his chance and he has grabbed it with both hands.

Saturday was Kyrgiakos’ fourth successive start and his physical presence has added steel to the Reds’ back line.

Kevin Davies usually wreaks havoc against Liverpool but this time he never had a sniff.

Kyrgiakos dominated in the air and showed his agility when he got back to clear Chung-Yong’s shot off the line.

The current revival is built on firm foundations with five clean sheets in the last six games and Bolton never looked like getting back on level terms.

In truth, Liverpool were much improved in the second half with Javier Mascherano shining at the heart of the midfield and Steven Gerrard bursting forward to good effect.

If David Ngog hadn’t conspired to somehow strike the bar with the net gaping they would have had the points secured long before Insua’s shot took a wicked deflection off Kevin Davies and flew into the corner.

It was uninspiring but during a season in which routine wins have been thin on the ground there were few complaints. They were reserved for the Texan in the directors’ box.