Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson says Christian Poulsen has shown great mental strength to handle his difficult beginning at Anfield.
The Dane returned to the Reds' starting line-up in the absence of skipper Steven Gerrard and gave a good account of himself, leaving the boss more than pleased with how his No.28 responded to the challenge.
"Steven is important and if we're going to have a good season we need him but it was good for the players to win like that without him," Hodgson said.
"Those players who came into the side did very well and it increases the level of competition. It also stops people accusing us of being a one man or a two man team.
"If you want an example of mental strength then Christian Poulsen will give you that.
"He hasn't had a good time and has been criticised. He's not played to his potential but he's been playing in a team which hasn't done well.
"But he's gone out there and given an outstanding performance. In a good team he showed what a good player he is."
