By Andy Hunter, Daily Post icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk

GERARD HOULLIER admitted Sander Westerveld's late blunder had left him "absolutely gutted" as Liverpool's 15-match unbeaten run came to an end at Bolton.

The Reds succumbed to a shock 2-1 defeat when their Dutch keeper allowed Dean Holdsworth's speculative strike to slip through his grasp in the 90th minute at the Reebok Stadium.

It was Liverpool's first loss since the Good Friday upset by Leeds United on April 14 and leaves Bolton back top of the Premiership plus Westerveld's future under fierce doubt once again.

Houllier travelled to Holland on Sunday to watch Feyenoord's Jerzy Dudek impress in his side's 2-1 defeat by Ajax, but knows he has to make a swift move to land the 28-year-old with the transfer deadline for the Champions League closing this Thursday.

Polish international Dudek would need a work permit to play in the Premiership while Liverpool are refusing to meet Feyenoord's £7million asking price for the 28-year-old.

It is believed the Reds are not prepared to pay above £4m for Dudek, a transfer target for Arsenal until they switched their attentions to Ipswich's Richard Wright in the summer. But Houllier was devastated by Westerveld's costly error and said: "I am not disappointed about the result. I am absolutely gutted and disheartened.

"It was very unfair. We were let down by a bad blunder. It cost us at least a point and it was a huge error.

"There is no point in saying anything else. At times Sander has saved us and maybe in the future he will save us again. Obviously today was not a good one for him." Liverpool had hauled themselves back in the contest through substitute Emile Heskey, whose

66th-minute goal cancelled out Michael Ricketts' third goal of the new season.

And Houllier added: "Look at the amount of chances they had. They didn't have any other than the two goals they scored.

"In football terms we showed encouraging signs. The finishing could have been better in the first half but I feel sorry for the lads.

"They played a good game of football but we were let down by a bad mistake. That's football.

"It is a bit disheartening. the way we played we should have done better and got more out of it.

"The football was alright. I am not disappointed with the display of football but I am with the result."

Robbie Fowler also found himself in the spotlight when he was booked for a first-half dive over Bolton keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen.

And Houllier admitted: "I thought he could have done better and I'm sure Robbie would agree with me.

"His finishing was not up to the level he can show but Robbie will sort out his fitness and then he'll be alright."

Bolton boss Sam Allardyce also backed referee Graham Poll's decision.

Allardyce said: "There was no contact made at all. I am grateful Graham Poll was in the right position and he got it spot on, as he did for Heskey's goal."