Liverpool climb out of relegation zone thanks to Maxi strike

Roy Hodgson witnessed his Liverpool side string back-to-back wins together for the first time this season, leaving Liverpool three points clear of the relegation zone and in 12th place.

In a dour game at Bolton’s Reebok Stadium, Maxi Rodriguez’s 86th minute strike was enough to secure Liverpool the three points, but the performance of Roy Hodgson’s men would suggest that Liverpool are still a long way off finding their best form.

The win did see Liverpool’s relegation odds lengthen to 33/1, but with the Premier League being so tight, just five points separate fifth and 17th, Liverpool could still find themselves back amongst the bottom clubs as early as this weekend.

Steven Gerrard and company host Chelsea on Sunday and the league leaders will be confident of victory after witnessing a subdued Liverpool performance last Sunday.

It’s easy to focus solely on results and two wins on the bounce for Hodgson spells promise, but if they are to repeat the kind of performance that the Reebok Stadium witnessed, Chelsea will run riot at Anfield on Sunday.

Narrow results against Blackburn and Bolton hardly inspire confidence and despite Liverpool advancing up to 12th in the league, the away trips to Wigan and Stoke following the Chelsea game will provide a better insight into how Liverpool will fare this season.

Liverpool haven’t won at Wigan in the last two seasons and haven’t beaten Stoke at the Britannia in the Premier League and that 33/1 available for Liverpool to be relegated could be very short by the time the next three games are completed.

The next three games are crucial for Hodgson and he is 3/1 to be the next Premier League manager to leave.

Liverpool are 150/1 to win the Premier League meaning Hodgson can rule out challenging for the title. See the full Barclays Premier League football betting odds market here.