Speed downs ragged Reds

Goals from Bolton's Gary Speed and Ivan Campo dispatched a disjointed Liverpool.

Goals from Bolton's Gary Speed and Ivan Campo dispatched a disjointed Liverpool side 2-0 at The Reebok Stadium.

With just one win in six visits to The Reebok prior to the lunchtime kick off, Liverpool again found this part of Lancashire an unhappy hunting ground as their bid to regain ground lost in the title race stalled.

Rafa Benitez spoke pre-match of the need for strong officiating, and though he would gripe with the award leading to the first goal, his side's failure was down more to his own team's lethargic performance coupled with the doggedness of inhospitable hosts.

Ex-Reds misfits El Hadji Diouf and Nicolas Anelka prompted intermittently for the hosts, but, as The Trotters came to play second fiddle to the visitors for much of the half, there was little indication of what was to come.

Nicky Hunt's touchline slip let in Craig Bellamy, but Tal Ben Haim thwarted the danger, while Dirk Kuyt's header from a Steven Gerrard free kick drew a parry from Jussi Jaaskelainen.

A Bellamy cross was then cleared by Israeli Ben Haim and Xabi Alonso's superb technical execution of a volley deserved better than for the ball to strike the outside of the left hand upright with Jaaskelainen well beaten.

Bolton had struggled to create headway for much of the first half. But a generous free kick awarded against Jose Reina for handball outside the area on 30 minutes provided the tonic. Up stepped Speed to rifle home the ball from 20 yards, with the unsighted Reina floundering.

The effervescent 37-year-old was also on hand at the other end to deny the marauding Jermaine Pennant from Bellamy's deflected centre, while Gerrard twice caused Jaaskelainen anxiety as the half drew to a close

Liverpool started the second period in determined mood, with Benitez bringing on Peter Crouch for Kuyt, but, just as Bolton had struck out of the blue in the first half, they did likewise just six minutes into the second period.

Kevin Davies crossed from the right and the onrushing Campo beat the standing Steve Finnan comfortably with his head to double the lead via the underside of the crossbar.

Benitez, shuffling uncomfortably, made another change, introducing Luis Garcia for Pennant, as his sense of desperation reached palpable proportions.

Garcia exuded a greater threat as the pressure mounted on the hosts, as Crouch slipped in the act of shooting, while Alonso exhibited his prowess from distance.

Bellamy, deployed for the first hour of the match in an ill-suited left wing slot, betrayed a lack of confidence in failing to profit from a promising opening and not even Gerrard, so often Liverpool's saviour, could rescue his side.

A forceful run from The Reds' captain ended with the ball finding only the side netting, and Liverpool, who have now picked up just one point from four away matches, knew the game was up.

Not so Bolton - as the clock ticked down, the hosts' desire for perspiration remained unsated, with the shifts of the once disgruntled duo of Anelka and Diouf eclipsed only by Davies, as Bolton recorded a fourth win in five matches - form that Benitez's side are still aspiring to.

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