SAM Allardyce believes there are no limits to what Wanderers can achieve, if they can stay focused and maintain their current growth rate.

"Who knows how far we can go?" the manager said after seeing a Kevin Davies goal beat Liverpool at the Reebok to put the Whites third in the Premiership with three wins from four games.

Into their fourth consecutive season of top flight football, Wanderers are showing the world they are a genuine force and are earning the highest possible praise from one of the most demanding of critics -- Allardyce himself.

Never one to make outlandish statements, Big Sam trotted out a string of superlatives after masterminding a victory that gave new Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez -- the man who steered Spanish giants Valencia to a league and UEFA Cup double last year -- his first Premiership defeat.

"The quality of the side is quite frightening in how it's grown over the years," he said. "It's so young in the Premiership ... but it's staggering the way they are all coming together and proving they have got the talent.

"My job is to keep their feet on the ground, to keep them growing in confidence, using their ability and playing as a team."

Allardyce described the victory -- Wanderers' eighth in their last 10 Premiership games going back to last season -- as "one hell of an achievement".

He said: "It was an excellent result, a superb professional performance and a great victory, conquering the mighty Liverpool.

"Coping with them and, in the end, mastering them is a huge bonus for us, and winning a second home game on the trot is important.

"Increasing our tally of home wins is crucial to what we want to achieve this year. We only won six at home last season and already we've won our first two. That will encourage our fans to fill the place every week and enjoy the football."

Allardyce does not expect to see nine of his first team squad until a week on Thursday when they return from their international excursions to prepare for two more tough tests of their top flight mettle. But both manager and players have had their confidence boosted by the manner in which they beat Liverpool, taking one of the few chances that came their way -- Henrik Pedersen setting up Davies in the 38th minute -- and going on to produce a solid performance in all departments.

"We've already got the three points we were looking for from the three games," Allardyce said, "now we can look for something off Manchester United.

"Getting our first clean sheet of the season was hugely important.

"Radhi Jaidi looked pretty impressive again and, if he can continue in that vein, we may have found a really good defensive partnership with him and Bruno (N'Gotty) -- with Julio Cesar, Fernando Hierro, Tal Ben Haim and Anthony Barness to come in as well."

It was a sign of the respect Wanderers are starting to command from their rivals that Liverpool played with a lone striker -- Milan Baros -- in the first half, when they played five in midfield. And, although they changed to a more attacking formation with the introduction of Djibril Cisse in the second half, there was no way back.

"I think what they saw of us in the Charlton game here gave them some fears and worries," Allardyce said.

"From year one we've had trouble breaking down that sort of defensive unit because we didn't have the quality player to find that final quality pass.

"But we've improved in leaps and bounds in that respect. This time it was Henrik with his precise run and cross that allowed us to get the goal.

"Getting 1-0 up against Liverpool is all we wanted. We had something to protect and when Liverpool did come back in the game we defended extremely well.

"We did a very very good job, put in a very professional performance and were worthy winners."

Allardyce said that Ivan Campo's success at the Reebok had paved the way for other Spanish players to make their mark in the Premiership -- including new Liverpool signings Xabi Alonso and Luis Garcia.

"Ivan has proved himself as a Spaniard playing in the Premiership, and now a lot more are following in his footsteps," Allardyce said.

"And in this match he shone as much as any of their players -- some of whom they have paid a lot of money for."

The Wanderers boss did not read anything significant into the fact that Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez did not shake hands with him at the end of the game.

"I think he was just so disappointed that his team had lost, as you would be," Allardyce said.

"Liverpool would see Bolton as a place where they have got to win if they are going to get into the Champions League next season."