Joe Cole scored an injury-time winner Saturday to give Liverpool a much-needed 2-1 win over Bolton to provide some relief for under-pressure manager Roy Hodgson.
Kevin Davies had given Bolton the lead in the 43rd minute before Fernando Torres equalized four minutes after the break with his first goal since Nov. 10.
Cole then secured the win with an easy tap-in after Steven Gerrard's deep cross was touched back by Maxi Rodriguez, although replays suggested he was offside.
Hodgson has come under increased criticism after a home loss to relegation-threatened Wolverhampton in the last round, with British media reporting that the club's new owners are actively looking for a replacement.
When Davies headed in Taylor's 43rd-minute free kick things looked even worse for Hodgson, but a revitalized Torres volleyed home an equalizer before Cole scored his first league goal for the club since joining from Chelsea in the offseason.
After their worst start since the 1953-54 season, Hodgson appeared to have turned things around only for a defeat at Newcastle and the dreadful performance at home to Wolves on Wednesday to raise more questions about his future.
One solitary banner in the Kop read ''Fans' New Year Wish - New Manager.''
Liverpool could have taken the lead in the first half as Rodriguez headed Dirk Kuyt's deep cross onto the top of the crossbar, while in injury time Lucas Leiva skewed wide from close range.
Torres had looked unable to break out of his poor run of form but showed a moment of brilliance when Gerrard's first-time pass from David Ngog's knockdown picked him out on the penalty spot and he clinically volleyed home.
Torres instantly looked a transformed player and his next effort from the left of the penalty area whistled past Jussi Jaaskelainen and wide of the far post, while Rodriguez and Gerrard both had close-range shots charged down.
