STEVIE GLEE ... Gerrard celebratesRAFA BENITEZ thanked Jussi Jaaskelainen after the keeper’s cock-up lifted Liverpool’s top-four hopes.
The Reds will leapfrog Everton — who defeated Portsmouth yesterday — into fourth spot if they can beat West Ham on Wednesday.
Benitez said: “The first goal was disappointing for the Bolton goalkeeper but good for us.”
Jaaskelainen’s amazing howler saw him divert Steven Gerrard’s soft 11th-minute shot into the net of his face — even though the ball was drifting wide.
Benitez said: “Sometimes these things happen and we went on to play well after a difficult opening few minutes.
“We knew if we did not pass the ball then we could get drawn into a physical game.
“It’s important to put the teams around you under pressure when you are fighting for fourth.
“We still have a game in hand and we can do it.”
Benitez refused to be drawn about the possibility of gaining a new contract, even though his current agreement has 2½ years to run.
The Spaniard said: “I am happy here and I would be really pleased if that happened. But I’m just thinking about the games coming up.”
Kop skipper Gerrard said: “This was a massive result for us with the teams around us winning.”
