Liverpool did the double over Bolton last season, scoring seven goals, so will be hoping for a repeat when they travel to The Reebok this Saturday lunchtime.

Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas has backed under-fire coach Bernd Schuster, after the club’s poor recent run and this week’s shock exit from the King’s Cup at the hands of Real Union.

“The whole squad is with the coach from start to finish,” Casillas said on the club’s website (www.realmadrid.com) ahead of the champions’ match at Real Valladolid on Saturday.

“We have always said we have to make a judgment at the end of the season,” he added. “If things have not gone well then that’s the moment to apportion the blame.

“The players are behind Schuster all the way. The coach has given this team a different feel and the entire squad is with him from start to finish.

“Obviously people are hurt, as we are too. We always said that an analysis of our season will be made at the end of the year.

“If things don’t go well that’s when we’ll assign the blame to the players, the coach, etc. But right now there’s no place for that.”

The squad held meetings on Thursday with Schuster and club president Ramon Calderon discussing the team’s current situation and the best way to move forward.

Casillas refused to be drawn on what was said during the meetings but admitted that the talks had been positive.

“No meeting is ever tense, we have them to sort out difficult situations,” he said.

“What was said will be kept between us, in spite of all the rumours going round. But this type of meeting is very positive to bring the group together.”

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Liverpool did the double over Bolton last season, scoring seven goals, so will be hoping for a repeat when they travel to The Reebok this Saturday lunchtime.