Goalkeeper Adam Bogdan is already eagerly anticipating an FA Cup fourth-round replay against Liverpool after Bolton secured a battling 0-0 draw at Anfield on Saturday.
A superb defensive and goalkeeping display ensured Wanderers will host the Premier League big boys next month after they denied the Reds a heavily-tipped home win.
Bodgan, who only made his second appearance for the club since August against Liverpool, said the Trotters are full of belief that they can upset the odds at the Macron Stadium.
“We’re fully deserving of getting a replay at Macron Stadium and it’s a really good feeling,” he said. “Full credit to the team, we all played really well and defended really strongly.
“Now who knows what will happen? We’ll take them on our home turf and hopefully we can go through. We don’t fear anybody and feel very positive going into every game, home or away.
“We fancy our chances at home. Nothing changes, we’ll have to play extremely well because Liverpool will always be a very good side.
“Hopefully playing at home will give us an advantage and we’ll be able to go through.”
Wanderers fans – 5,500 in all – made the journey along the M62 to see their team’s gutsy display and the Hungarian goalkeeper cited their efforts as a key reason for Wanderers’ positive result.
“The supporters were amazing. From start to finish, even during the warm-up, our section was full and everyone was really positive and very loud.
“Sometimes we could only hear them. I think it was a really good day out for them and we really appreciate it because they definitely made our jobs easier.”
Although 28 places separate the two clubs in English football, the gulf in class was not apparent as Bolton frustrated their opponents despite Bogdan denying Raheem Sterling, Philippe Coutinho and Fabio Borini.
Manager Neil Lennon was full of praise for his players, particularly in their success at keeping out a talented Reds side.
“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.
The Northern Irishman also insisted that despite a crucial run of Championship games, the well-earned replay would not serve as a distraction for his players.
“We’re still in the competition, which is all we can ask for,” he added. “Some people say the cup competitions get in the way of the league, but 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 got a few big league games to navigate before the replay, so we can’t start getting carried away.”
The replay will take place at the Macron on Tuesday February 4 or Wednesday February 5.
Main image courtesy of Bolton Wanderers FC via YouTube, with thanks.
