Bruce Grobbelaar was set to return from Zimbabwe for Liverpool’s FA Cup clash with Bolton but to only watch from the sidelines. Reds’ boss Graeme Souness ended speculation that the keeper had been recalled to take the starting position in the team once again. But Souness made it clear that Hooper was the first choice keeper for him.
Graeme Souness said “Hooper will play. I’ve been happy with the way he’s performed. He’s in the side on merit and will stay there until he plays himself out.”
Souness also said it was going to be too early for any of his injured players Ian Rush, Steve Nicol or Mark Wright to come back to the first-team action.