Bolton: The view from the opposition

Davies is currently at Preston North End, but his ties to Bolton remain as strong as ever, not least because the powerful forward still lives in the area and his son is training with the club's academy.

Staff and players keep in regular contact and Davies cherishes fond memories of his time with the team - so he's perfectly placed to offer us an insight into the current mood at the Reebok Stadium...

Kevin, what is the feeling around the town and the club ahead of today's game?

After a difficult start to the season, Bolton are doing really well under Neil Lennon. They beat Wigan in the last round of the FA Cup and they have only lost three games under him. They have Darren Pratley, who is in form - he's scored four goals in his last six. They have a bit of belief about them again and I think today's is a game that they feel they can just go and enjoy. They are obviously trying to push up the table and get as close to the play-offs as they can, so this game at Anfield is an occasion they can try to enjoy. Bolton have been out of the Premier League for the last few seasons and facing Liverpool is something they were used to during the years that I was there. So I think it's a brilliant draw for them and all the fans are looking forward to going back to Anfield once again.

You mention Neil Lennon there. He's obviously a colourful character - what has he instilled at the club to turn things around?

From what I hear, the environment became stale there and there was a lot of unhappiness prior to his arrival. Neil came in and lifted the place. He's given them the confidence and the belief. They have pretty much the same players, but he's just applying the hard work on the training ground with a smile on his face. I speak to the lads now and they are really happy with what he has done. They were five or six points adrift and now they are 10 points clear of the relegation zone and looking upwards. The whole spirit of the club, from the dressing room to the fans is improving. I went to a game just before Dougie Freedman was sacked and it was a hostile environment. Now it's getting back to the club it was when I was there. He's done a fantastic job so far and I think he'll fancy his chances going to Anfield.

A couple of former Liverpool players are with Bolton. Jay Spearing has been there for a while and now Emile Heskey has joined. How are they getting along?

Jay Spearing has struggled a bit since Lennon has come in. He's been out of the squad at times and he's found himself on the bench. Emile obviously scored on his debut against Blackburn Rovers, which is a big game for the club in that kind of derby clash. He's obviously impressed coming in on trial alongside Eidur Gudjohnsen, who is a similar age and of similar experience. Neil has clearly seen something in Heskey and has offered him that short-term contract. He'll be a player looking forward to going back to Anfield and playing against an old club. They are always good occasions, when you go back to clubs where you have good memories. He'll be hoping to get out on the pitch and cause an upset.

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The last we saw of Emile, he was on a Liverpool Legends tour in Singapore in November. Back then, he was speaking about his intentions to get back to a club in England...

He was over in Australia not so long ago. When Emile was released from his contract there, I think it would have been easy for him to have sat back and thought about the great career he has had, the great football clubs he has played for and decided that enough was enough. He could have started to do a bit of coaching, a bit of media or whatever players normally do. But I think Emile fancied one more bite at the cherry and it was convenient for him, as I don't think he's living too far away from Bolton. Full credit to him; I'm sure he works really hard on his fitness and he's certainly made an impression on Neil, enough to warrant him getting a contract. He deserves credit for that - fair play to him.

You've faced Liverpool 26 times in your career so far, for various clubs. Is there a particular memory that jumps to mind, when we mention the Reds?

I scored the winner at Bolton in August 2004. And then I think I scored in one of my last games at Anfield - it was a header in front of the Kop - but we lost the game 2-1 in January 2011. My son was mascot at Anfield for a game, four or five years ago. It was a cold January match and it was a very proud moment for me, walking out at Anfield with my son. Steven Gerrard was fantastic with him and he looked after us throughout the day. But I think any time you go to Anfield, it's one of those iconic grounds in world football, given the history of the club. So if you get the opportunity as a player to go there, you know it's going to be a special occasion. I've had some good results there with Southampton and Bolton over the years and then some not-so-good ones, where the atmosphere has been electric. I've always enjoyed playing there - it's unique.

Just on Gerrard - a lot of talk and focus continues to centre upon him. You've faced Steven many times throughout your career. When were you first aware of him and his potential?

We're not too distant an age - he's three years younger than me. I came to the Premier League in 1997-98 and that was the time he was coming onto the scene. You just remember him as this fresh-faced lad, a box-to-box player, who was full of energy. A lot of people ask that question - would you have Paul Scholes, Frank Lampard or Steven? For me, he's got the full package and everything you would want from a midfielder. He has the defensive side of things covered with his energy to get back and do his duties. Technically, he has stunning passing ability - you very rarely see a stray pass from him. Then, at the other end, just look at the goals he can score, the free-kicks he can score and his set-piece deliveries. He is the all-round player and I think it's something that I noticed in him at an early age. You instantly know he is going to be something special and he's obviously proved that with the career he's had at Anfield and the trophies he's lifted for the club. It came as a bit of a shock to me when I heard the news that he was leaving, but you have to respect his decision and wish him well. The Premier League will certainly miss him. But I'm sure he'll be back in the not-so-distant future in some sort of role at Liverpool.

Who's the one Liverpool player you would pick to wear white at Anfield on Saturday, then - would it be Stevie?

I think so. You talk about Liverpool and you think of Steven Gerrard. The club has had some great players over the years, back in the 1970s and 1980s especially, but in terms of the Premier League era, Liverpool is Steven Gerrard for me. He's shown a lot of loyalty to the club and he just believes now that it's time to move on and we all wish him well.

Just finally, have you got a prediction for the game?

I think one thing that should work in Bolton's favour is the Capital One Cup semi-final, second leg against Chelsea on the Tuesday. It's huge for Brendan Rodgers, after the game against them on Tuesday and the way Liverpool played. Bolton's away form has not been great, but I think they can go and put in a good performance. If Liverpool choose to rest a couple of key players, it will just give Neil Lennon's side a chance to go and get something. So I'm going to say that Bolton can get a draw.