Fowler hat-trick continues Foxes misery

'I've often talked about strength of character and mental toughness. Fowler demonstrated those attributes by winning back his place in the side - and making the most of it against us.

'That's what football is about. Not feeling sorry for yourself in adversity, but reacting in a positive way to the trials and tribulations which come your way, whether you're one of the best strikers in the country or, like Ade, trying to prove yourself at the highest level.

'I wouldn't mind betting Robbie, though delighted with his three goals, would have felt a tinge of sympathy for Ade.

'Being a striker is the greatest job in the world when the goals are going in, but it's lonely and unkind when you're not taking the chances.'

Leicester fans would be relieved if Bassett offloaded Akinbiyi this morning. Instead, the manager intends to persevere with him, reasoning: 'Better to keep faith with the lad as long as he works hard and is committed - and unless there's someone who can do better.

'It's not the time to put an arm around him. Ade has to be brave and get on with it. I will help, so will my No.2 Micky Adams, but, when it comes right down to it, he has to help himself.'

Just like Fowler did, performing efficiently and very effectively. His treble was complemented by a Sami Hyypia header as Liverpool cruised to another victory which should hasten Gerard Houllier's rehabilitation after surgery as much as any medication.

Fowler's display brought a compliment and a caution from taskmaster and stand-in boss Phil Thompson, who said: 'Robbie has been searching for goals this season but working hard to get his game together and it's great he bagged a hat-trick.

'I'm sure he would say he has to strive to become even better, and that goes for everyone at this club. Touch and awareness - we all have to improve on that.' Thompson will not be blinded to the fact that Liverpool will rarely come up against a defence as static and indecisive as Leicester's in set-piece situations which presented them with a two-goal cushion by the 10th minute.

Only the margin of a Merseyside victory remained at issue thereafter, despite Dennis Wise's first goal for Leicester in the 57th minute. It might have been less clear-cut but for Fowler's precise finishing and Akinbiyi's shortcomings.

It was almost all good news for Liverpool. Houllier out of intensive care, another win and, perhaps, Michael Owen available for the Champions League this week. The down side was that Fowler, Steven Gerrard and Emile Heskey all picked up knocks and needed treatment yesterday.

Fowler and Owen! What Bassett would give for such a potent strike-force.

A realist rather than a dreamer, he said: 'We'll just keeping working with what we've got for the time being. The fans might want me to drop Akinbiyi but I'm not sure there is anyone here who can do better - and you can't blame him for the poor, early goals we gave away.'

Truth to tell, Akinbiyi is merely the tip of an iceberg of inadequacy at Leicester that Bassett will never improve by axing all and sundry to appease frustrated supporters.