Bolton too strong for Reds

Davies, Reo-Coker and Steinsson net in rare home success

Last updated: 21st January 2012   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Gretar Steinsson Bolton v Liverpool Premier League

Gretar Steinsson restored Bolton's two-goal cushion with a crisp second-half volley

Craig Bellamy Bolton v Liverpool Premier League

Craig Bellamy gave Liverpool hope of a comeback with a goal before half-time

Nigel Reo Coker Bolton v Liverpool Premier League

Nigel Reo-Coker doubled Bolton's advantage with a close-range strike

Mark Davies Bolton v Liverpool Premier League

Bolton got off to a flying start thanks to Mark Davies' goal inside the opening four minutes
Man of the Match: Chris Eagles was an influential part of Bolton's attacking play throughout the match and set up Reo-Coker's goal.

Moment of the match: Gretar Steinsson netting Bolton's third to settle the tie after being set up by David Wheater.

Attempt of the match: Daniel Agger smashing a powerful effort from long range which grazed the top of Adam Bogdan's bar.

Save of the match: Pepe Reina saving Martin Petrov's curling strike onto the post.

Talking point: The opening goal for Bolton was simply too easy for Martin Davies, who cut through the heart of the Reds defence.

Goal of the game: Bolton's second when Chris Eagles' deft dink ahead was chested down and netted coolly by Reo-Coker.

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Bolton Wanderers moved out of the Premier League drop zone with a thumping 3-1 success over bogey-side Liverpool at the Reebok Stadium.

The home side made a dream start to the contest with midfielder Mark Davies firing Bolton ahead with a left-footed finish inside the opening four minutes with a shot past Jose Reina.

Owen Coyle's side doubled their advantage in the 29th minute when Nigel Reo-Coker chested down Chris Eagles' through-ball before slotting home from close range.

Liverpool were not about to lie down without a fight and the visitors pulled one back when Craig Bellamy raced clear of Bolton's defence before scoring past stand-in Adam Bogdan.

Wanderers restored their two-goal cushion five minutes after half time when David Wheater nodded down Martin Petrov's corner with Gretar Steinsson lashing home

.

In the second half, Daniel Agger's long-range drive clipped the top of the crossbar, but for all Liverpool's endeavour Bolton never looked like conceding a second, a result that sees them move a point above third-from-bottom Blackburn.

Prior to this match only Premier League title-chasers Manchester City and Tottenham had scored three or more against Liverpool this season.

Worryingly for Dalglish, they have to face City at home on Wednesday in the second leg of the Carling Cup semi-final holding just a slender 1-0 lead.

If they defend as poorly as this the 16-year wait for a Wembley appearance may go on even longer.

Wanderers made it 10 points from their last six matches and Coyle will hope this result will prove to be a turning point for his beleaguered side.

Struggle

But after watching his players fail to break down Stoke last week - one of many struggles at Anfield - Dalglish has to find a way of lifting a team which has won just once in six league matches, collecting just six points.

Liverpool's excellent record against Bolton counted for little as early as the fourth minute when the home side took the lead.

Martin Skrtel stepped out to meet Eagles' pass into David Ngog but the slightest of touches from the former Reds striker moved it on to Davies who charged into the penalty area to shoot low just inside Jose Reina's left-hand post.

Eagles should have made it 2-0 when he held off the challenge of Jose Enrique as he ran in from the touchline only to fire a cross-shot past the far post from a narrow angle.

Bellamy, playing up front alongside Andy Carroll, was by far Liverpool's biggest threat with his pace getting him behind the Wanderers defence on a number of occasions.

The Wales international had one shot blocked by David Wheater while Carroll, who began to link better with his partner as the match wore on, headed straight at Bogdan from Steven Gerrard's cross-field pass.

After Maxi Rodriguez's penalty appeal for the ball hitting Zat Knight's arm was rejected Bolton all too easily carved open Liverpool's defence for a second time.

Eagles was again the instigator, coming off the right touchline to chip the ball over the centre-backs for Reo-Coker to stab home.

Carroll was coming into the game more and after one first-time pass sent Bellamy racing through to shoot at Bogdan his flick-on led to a goal.

His header from Reina's clearance sent the Welshman racing through and this time he cleverly clipped the ball past the Bolton goalkeeper.

Saved

Bogdan then saved well from Gerrard's shot before Reina batted away Petrov's free-kick in first-half added time.

Liverpool's hopes of redressing the balance early in the second half were snuffed out after just five minutes when Wheater headed Petrov's corner back across goal and Steinsson slid a shot inside the post.

With 25 minutes to go Stewart Downing and Dirk Kuyt were sent on for Rodriguez and Charlie Adam in an attempt to rescue the situation.

The chances were still falling to Carroll though but his luck did not improve as he blazed over from Davies' mis-control in the penalty area before completely missing Downing's cut-back.

Defender Agger had come closer moments earlier when his long-range drive clipped the top of the crossbar.

Carroll, without a league goal since October 29, continued to labour in front of net, typified by his complete miskick from Downing's cut-back.

Liverpool's attacking in the closing stages became even more desperate but they rarely looked like threatening Bogdan.

A first win over the Reds since September 10 did wonders for Bolton's confidence, less so for Liverpool who are looking increasingly ragged by the week.

Bolton WanderersTeam StatisticsLiverpool
3Goals1
21st Half Goals1
5Shots on Target5
8Shots off Target3
3Blocked Shots3
5Corners5
10Fouls15
0Offsides5
0Yellow Cards2
0Red Cards0
63.6Passing Success77.7
18Tackles22
72.2Tackles Success59.1
38.9Possession61.1
57.3Territorial Advantage42.7
319Total Passes503
19Total Crosses24
194Lost Balls194
55Recoveries64
38.41st Half Poss.61.6
39.22nd Half Poss.60.8
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Comments (18)

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Sachin. Poduval (Manchester United fan) says...

"We're going to win the title"-Liverpool Fans 2011.LOL Finishing in the top half will be a more likely outcome for the "invincible" scousers.Newcastle and Arsenal look better contenders for europa/4th place. Seriously how much more will you play that donkey caroll.

Posted 12:50 22nd January 2012

David Smith (Liverpool fan) says...

utter rubbish, you should be ashamed of yourselves, you dont deserve to wear the red shirt

Posted 08:42 22nd January 2012

Augustine Mfune (Liverpool fan) says...

Liverpool should find another striker another wise Andy Carlo he is not good enough to help the reds

Posted 08:36 22nd January 2012

Mark Keates (Wolverhampton Wanderers fan) says...

Every one can see Liverpool need another forward so why are they waiting by the there no 1 comes back from his ban the top 6 will be further ahead the chasing pack would have caught up. They are strong at the back but scoring gaols been a big, big problem come on Kenny go and by a forward before its too late.

Posted 08:11 22nd January 2012

Liam Foster (Bolton Wanderers fan) says...

Who is this Martin Davies who appears on the "Talking Point" section of this article. If he is anywhere near as good as Mark Davies we will be delighted to have. Well played today though, you did yourselves and Bolton proud.

Posted 04:37 22nd January 2012

Usmaan Mustafa (Liverpool fan) says...

Watched the game and i have to say that Bolton deserved to win. Liverpool defence was shambles. Johnson doesn't have a clue what he is meant to be doing and the midfield ahead of him with Adam and Henderson is seriously weak. Stevie G the only one looking deadly alongside Craig Bellamy. Apart from the Liverpool are no longer looking like a top 4 team but more like a mid-table team. Some serious work needs doing by Kenny if they are to be in contention for a Champions League place.

Posted 00:57 22nd January 2012

Frank Solo (Liverpool fan) says...

Absolute disgrace. Fair play to Bolton, but certain players need to be dropped QUICKLY. Charlie adam to name but one.

Posted 22:24 21st January 2012

Robert Marshall (Liverpool fan) says...

Thank you Kenny and we love you but please allow someone else move us forward.

Posted 21:56 21st January 2012

John Alexander (Bolton Wanderers fan) says...

Come on reporter, 'Talking Point' who is Martin ? Davies

Posted 21:46 21st January 2012

Andrew Robinson (Liverpool fan) says...

Intresting to note that after 21 league games this year under Kenny Dalglish, Liverpool are only 9 points better off than after the 20 games when Roy Hodgson was manager last year. Not much progress after all. If Dalglish was any other manager most fans would be calling for his head.

Posted 21:36 21st January 2012

Martyn Hughes (Bournemouth fan) says...

Why are'nt the deluded Liverpool supporters asking for the manager to be sacked. Look at his record. Bring back Hodgson

Posted 21:08 21st January 2012

Alan Smith (Liverpool fan) says...

why don't any of my comments ever be displayed?

Posted 20:55 21st January 2012

Matt Kland (Leicester City fan) says...

Please remind me how liverpool were worse off with hodgson and £80M less on players. I am confused.

Posted 20:38 21st January 2012

Chris Hodgson (Hartlepool United fan) says...

whose this king Kenny the messiah

Posted 20:28 21st January 2012

Scott Mcbride (Liverpool fan) says...

Absolutely disgraceful performance by liverpool, not seen one that bad since spurs thumped us early in the season, although you would have thought by this stage the side would have a little bit about them and some fightback. Again, without suarez in the side, and a not fully fit stevie g, we had nobody except bellamy who even looked remotely like they could create anything, kenny says we have money to spend if it's needed but he's happy with what we have. Well clearly what we have isn't good enough, and with this side we'll never win the league, let alone get into europe.

Posted 20:18 21st January 2012

Osagie Ojie (Liverpool fan) says...

am very disappointed with liverpool's dismal performance, and i must say they're out! of the champions league spot, they will have to struggle for the europa league spot...am sure Daglish now knows he needs a striker and possibly a defensive midfielder..

Posted 20:16 21st January 2012

Nobnobs Mcdermott (Manchester United fan) says...

i think you realy need to question the credability of kenny, no doubt he was a great player but never seen liverpool play such negative un inventive football.

Posted 20:14 21st January 2012

Brian Gray (Manchester United fan) says...

Dalglish, what a joke, his signings are rubbish once again.How many times does he have to flop as a manager before people realise he hasnt a clue.

Posted 20:14 21st January 2012
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