Anyone questioning the management credentials of Owen Coyle – not that anybody is – need look no further than the transformation of Johan Elmander.

Before Saturday, the Swede was four in four away from home – he was practically a dead cert to score at the DW Stadium – and he duly did, making him the most prolific travelling striker in the Premier League.

Such has been his turn around in form, that some Whites fans even fell for an internet joke on a Bolton Wanderers fan page – lampooning Wayne Rooney – claiming Elmander was refusing to sign a new £250,000-a-week contract.

But the Sweden striker is yet to score at the Reebok – and that could be of some concern.

Coyle has clearly injected our record signing with a healthy dose of confidence. He has managed to take the pressure off Elmander, and with that has come confidence and goals, at least away from home.

But I wonder whether the number nine still feels the weight of expectation upon his shoulders on home soil? He need not – the reversal in Elmander’s popularity on the terraces is nothing short of miraculous.

Not since Fabian de Freitas scored twice against Reading at Wembley in 1995 – taking Wanderers into the Premier League for the first time – has a Whites misfit enjoyed such a change in fortunes.

It wasn’t the greatest performance against Wigan, but our away record remains very healthy indeed.

Despite the large number of draws, one loss in nine games cannot be sniffed at – Coyle, who also scored in that famous Wembley victory, has created a team that is hard to beat.

Under pressure Liverpool will not be relishing a visit to the Reebok next Sunday – bring on the scousers.