Reds trample on Trotters

Reds respond to midweek defeat in pulsating encounter

By Elliot Ball   Last updated: 29th August 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Reds trample on Trotters

Gerrard: Stole the show

Man of the Match: Steven Gerrard. Kept quiet at the beginning, but the talismanic captain came up trumps in the end with the crucial goal and a dominating performance.

Moment of the match: Sean Davis' sending-off midway through the second half allowed Liverpool and more importantly Gerrard space to cause havoc and turn the result around in their favour.

Attempt of the match: Gerrard's thunderbolt midway through the second half which crashed against the Trotters' crossbar before bouncing away to safety.

Save of the match: After a super, albeit slightly over-played move, Fernando Torres thought he had it wrapped it up only to see Jussi Jaaskelainen pull off a super stop.

Talking Point: Is this where Liverpool's season officially starts after their first comeback of the season? Where does this leave Bolton who have now lost their first three league games?

Goal of the Game: Torres' strike was impressive, but kudos must go to Dirk Kuyt for an exceptional lay-off to keep the visitors in the game.

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Steven Gerrard scored the winner as Liverpool twice came from behind to beat Bolton 3-2 at the Reebok Stadium.

The Reds were looking for a response from Monday's 3-1 loss to Aston Villa but after some more suspect defending they found themselves a goal down with Kevin Davies finding the net on 33 minutes.

The visitors, who were aiming for their third successive victory on Bolton's turf, equalised four minutes before the end of the first half through Glen Johnson's precise strike.

Rafa Benitez's title challengers dominated proceedings going into the break, but they soon found themselves another goal down after Jussi Jaaskelainen's long punt found Kevin Davies, whose knock-down was ferociously met by Tamir Cohen two minutes after the restart.

But the Trotters' lead only lasted nine minutes when first midfielder Sean Davis was dismissed in the 54th minute for a second bookable offence and then Fernando Torres scored his third of the campaign two minutes later.

The Spanish striker then inadvertently turned provider for Gerrard whose 83rd minute belter sealed the emphatic win.

Riera return

Liverpool, who lost disastrously at home to Villa on Monday, gave new Greek signing Sotirios Kyrgiakos his debut in place of Martin Skrtel, while Spanish winger Albert Riera replaced Yossi Benayoun on the left flank.

Riera soon knew he was in a game. He was clattered by a strong Sam Ricketts tackle and then collected the Welsh international's boot in his ribs minutes later.

Predictably Bolton midfielder Fabrice Muamba was once again detailed to man-mark Gerrard, just as he did in both matches between the sides last season.

Liverpool soon had chances. Riera's cross was missed 12 yards out by Lucas, and the ball was returned into the box by Johnson for Torres to see a glancing header skim wide.

Torres was next in the wars, cut down by Gary Cahill, with the defender one of three Bolton first-half bookings, the others being Davis and Muamba.

The visitors had plenty of possession, but without making many clear-cut chances, Matt Taylor and Cohen working tirelessly in midfield, breaking up Liverpool's flow.

One through-ball from Lucas saw Torres shake off Cahill and attempt to chip Jaaskelainen from just inside the box, but the goalkeeper pulled down the effort.

Unlikely breakthrough

At the other end, a Taylor free-kick was headed away for a corner by Torres, and that gave Bolton their breakthrough.

Taylor's 33rd minute corner curled to the far post where Johan Elmander headed it down into the six-yard box for Davies to turn past Jose Reina from a couple of yards.

Liverpool surged back looking for an equaliser, and it almost came when Torres chested down Johnson's cross - but he fired across goal and wide of the far post.

But the visitors were level in the 41st minute when a corner was cleared only as far as Johnson just outside the box, and he fired a low show inside Jaaskelainen's near post.

Bolton caught Liverpool asleep at the beginning of the second period. Liverpool's failure to clear a right-wing cross saw them go behind again just two minutes after the break.

Davies was able to flick the ball across the box, where two defenders failed to stop Cohen lashing the ball home from eight yards.

Bolton were reduced to 10 men after 54 minutes. Lucas was racing towards the Bolton box when Davis clipped his heels from behind. Referee Alan Wiley produced a second yellow and then the red card.

Davis was furious. He had confronted the Brazilian before receiving his marching orders and ran towards Lucas again, before being halted by a colleague and ushered away.

Incentive

It was the incentive Liverpool needed. Gerrard hit the bar before Torres took a chest-down from Dirk Kuyt before steering the equaliser past Jaaskelainen in the 56th minute.

Next into the book was Gerrard for a foul on Muamba, before Benayoun replaced Riera after 63 minutes.

Not surprisingly, it was all Liverpool now. Andriy Voronin was sent on after 74 minutes to replace Javier Mascherano as the pressure on Bolton increased.

Torres and Kyrgiakos both had chances, and Bolton sent on another defender in Gretar Steinsson for Cohen with 12 minutes left.

Liverpool's pressure paid off with seven minutes left when Gerrard crashed the ball home from 12 yards. Benayoun's corner had been headed down by Torres for the Liverpool skipper to finally put his side ahead - and it proved decisive.

Bolton WanderersTeam StatisticsLiverpool
2Goals3
11st Half Goals1
3Shots on Target9
3Shots off Target13
3Blocked Shots8
5Corners11
15Fouls8
0Offsides1
2Yellow Cards1
1Red Cards0
60.3Passing Success87.9
25Tackles14
52Tackles Success71.4
19.8Possession80.2
41.2Territorial Advantage58.8
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Comments (1)

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Tim Belfield (Liverpool fan) says...

I know we're only four games into the season but this was definitely a must-win for us and the boys did well. I've got a 17day old son and he's only watched 2 Liverpool games so far and we lost both. I guess he'll have to stay away from Anfield this season. Anyway, well done lads!

Posted 19:35 29th August 2009
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