Dirk Kuyt and Steven Gerrard fired Liverpool to a 2-0 win at Bolton to take them back to the top of the Premier League.
Kuyt and Gerrard on target
Dirk Kuyt and Steven Gerrard fired Liverpool to a 2-0 win at Bolton to take them back to the top of the Premier League.
An entertaining affair at the Reebok was a far from comfortable victory for Rafa Benitez's side - who survived a couple of big scares.
Liverpool had deservedly taken the lead just before the half-hour when Dirk Kuyt brilliantly headed home a Fabio Aurelio cross.
Bolton, who had a goal ruled out on the stroke of half-time, looked much better in the second period and pushed hard for an equaliser.
But it never came and Liverpool sealed victory with a second header as Gerrard dived into the six-yard box to meet a Fernando Torres cross.
Torres was left on the bench as Liverpool made nine changes for the match from the side that lost at Tottenham in The Carling Cup.
The visitors found out quickly that they would have to match Bolton's industry and willpower. Tackles by Gavin McCann and Fabrice Muamba on Gerrard and Javier Mascherano showed that.
But Liverpool soon had Bolton pinned back, with only Kevin Davies up front as they got defenders Sami Hyypia, Dan Agger and Jamie Carragher into dangerous wide positions.
Likewise Albert Riera, but he twice wasted excellent openings on the right with poor delivery early on.
Liverpool's patient build-up was starting to stretch Bolton. Mascherano and Gerrard both saw long shots go close before Kuyt saw an effort crash against the bar after 24 minutes from a Gerrard pass.
Opener
The Reds forged ahead when Aurelio crossed from the left after 29 minutes and Kuyt rose to send a looping header into the top corner for the lead.
Liverpool then started to power forward and somehow Robbie Keane managed to miss an open goal from two yards before Agger flashed a 25-yard effort just wide of the far post.
Bolton had an effort from Cahill disallowed seconds before the break when he headed in a corner, with referee Rob Styles insisting that Reina had been fouled seconds earlier.
Styles was booed off by the home fans at the break and almost from the restart Bolton were awarded a string of free-kicks which allowed them to mount the sort of intense aerial pressure they excel at.
Gardner came on for Muamba at the break and when he broke clear on the left after 52 minutes he almost equalised, as Reina's rush from his line forced a shot into the side-netting. Agger, hurling himself towards the post, collided with the woodwork.
Liverpool then brought on Torres for Keane and from a right-wing cross from the Spanish striker, Gerrard almost got the second goal from a yard out.
Liverpool were hanging on to their lead as Bolton hammered away in search of an equaliser.
Win sealed
But the danger was always clear for the home side with Torres now on the pitch.
And after 73 minutes he created a superb second goal for Liverpool, clipping in a cross with the outside of his foot for Gerrard to send past Jaaskelainen with a diving header.
It could have been three for Liverpool in the closing stages, the Bolton goalkeeper saving superbly from Torres and then Xabi Alonso.
Torres could also have scored after 88 minutes but he struck the post from Lucas' lay-off.
| Bolton Wanderers |
Team Statistics |
Liverpool |
| 0 |
Goals |
2 |
| 0 |
1st Half Goals |
1 |
| 6 |
Shots on Target |
4 |
| 6 |
Shots off Target |
12 |
| 5 |
Blocked Shots |
2 |
| 7 |
Corners |
3 |
| 7 |
Fouls |
9 |
| 1 |
Offsides |
4 |
| 1 |
Yellow Cards |
1 |
| 0 |
Red Cards |
0 |
| 61.2 |
Passing Success |
78 |
| 17 |
Tackles |
18 |
| 70.6 |
Tackles Success |
77.8 |
| 42 |
Possession |
58 |
| 53.3 |
Territorial Advantage |
46.7 |
|
