Premier League:

Bolton 0-2 Liverpool (12.45pm): Reebok Stadium. FULL-TIME

                 Kuyt 27

                 Gerrard 74 

Bolton: Jaaskelainen; Steinsson, Cahill, O’Brien, Samuel; Taylor (Smolarek 84), Nolan, Muamba (Gardner 46), McCann; Elmander, Davies.

Subs: Al Habsi, Smolarek, Gardner, Helguson, Shittu, Basham, Odebayi.

Liverpool: Reina; Carragher, Hyppia, Agger, Aurelio; Alonso, Mascherano, Kuyt (Lucas 84), Gerrard, Riera (Benayoun 89); Keane (Torres 58).

Subs: Cavalieri, Dossena, Torres, Benayoun, Babel, Lucas, Darby.

Referee: Rob Styles.

MATCH REPORT:

BOLTON 0 LIVERPOOL 2

Liverpool returned to the top of the Premier League in Lancashire, as Dirk Kuyt and Steven Gerrard’s cool headers sealed three points in a 2-0 win at Bolton. 

Rafael Benitez’s side had gone close through Kuyt’s first-half effort against the bar, before the Dutch striker made amends with a precise header in to the net from Fabio Aurelio’s pinpoint cross.  

However, Bolton should have equalised on half-time when defender Gary Cahill’s header from a corner was controversially disallowed by referee, Rob Styles, for an apparent foul on Liverpool ‘keeper, Pepe Reina.

But, despite Bolton’s spirited second-half comeback, the visitors sealed victory through Gerrard, who finished expertly from substitute Fernando Torres’ clever counter-attacking move on 74 minutes at the Reebok Stadium.

Chelsea could return to the top of the Premier League if they beat West Bromwich Albion in the 5.30pm kick-off this evening. 

LIVE MATCH THREAD BENEATH:

22 mins (13:10) Steven Gerrard produces a brilliant pass through to Dutchman Dirk Kuyt on the break, but the striker smashes his effort against the crossbar with Jaaskelainen beaten.

27 mins (13:15) GOAL 0-1: Albert Riera’s cross is initially blocked, before Aurelio’s swinging cross is driven to Kuyt, who produces an emphatic header from close range to give Liverpool a deserved 1-0 lead on the balance of play.

29 mins (13:17) Robbie Keane produces a shocking miss from Kuyt’s clever football, with the Irishman shooting wide from close-range.

33 mins (13:21) Daniel Agger’s long-range effort whistles just wide, with ‘keeper Jaaskelainen almost caught unaware. Bolton appear to have lost their midfield composure, with Kevin Nolan and Gavin McCann playing too deeply.

41 mins (13:29) Wanderers string a rare attack together, but Reina’s quick awareness enables the Spanish goalkeeper to clinch the ball from Elmander.

42 mins (13:30) Agger’s poor header almost allows a Bolton chance in the Liverpool box, but luckily for the visitors, neither Davies or Elmander are able to capitalise on the defender’s mistake. Keane is then flagged offside on the break again, in what is becoming a torrid afternoon for the ex-Tottenham striker.

45 mins (13:33) Controversial moments at the Reebok, as Bolton have a legitimate equaliser disallowed. Gary Cahill’s header from a corner is ruled out for an apparent foul on ‘keeper, Reina. However, television replays show there was only contact made by Reina rather than Cahill, as the referee blows for half-time, with the score at 1-0 to Liverpool.

SECOND-HALF:

46 mins (13:49) Bolton boss Gary Megson responds to his side’s poor first-half with Fabrice Muamba replaced by Ricardo Gardner in the midfield.
Meanwhile, according to BBC Radio Five Live, Bolton’s disallowed goal was adjudged to have been ruled out because of an obstruction by Nolan on Reina in the area.

48 mins (13:51) Elmander’s fierce volley is repelled by Reina from inside the area, with the Swede forcing a corner. Bolton appear to have improved after Megson’s half-time team talk.

50 mins (13:53) Nolan’s free-kick is collected low along the turf by Reina, with the hosts definitely showing signs of a comeback here.

52 mins (13:55) The ball is scrambled away inside the Liverpool box, as Elmander again causes problems with some clever play. Liverpool need to weather this storm by Bolton, who have scored just 11 league goals this season.

53 mins (13:56) Liverpool escape punishment, as substitute Gardner rounds Reina, but can’t apply the finish, as the Jamaican midfielder slips from a tight angle with the goal gaping.

58 mins (14:01) Keane’s awful afternoon ends, as he is replaced by Torres, who returns from a hamstring injury.

63 mins (14:06) Torres capitalises on a hesistant Nolan and the Spaniard’s charging run results in a low ball finding Gerrard, only for the England midfielder to scuff his shot tamely for Bolton to clear.

64 mins (14:07) Bolton break and win a free-kick, which long-range strike expert Matt Taylor drives narrowly over the bar. Bolton are more than capable here of equalising, though Torres’ introduction may seal the game for the visitors.  

68 mins (14:11) Five Live’s Jimmy Armfield says Bolton are now the better team, which after this second-half display, would be hard to disagree with. Defender Sami Hyppia concedes an unneccessary corner as the Reds are under consistent pressure, but the hosts fail to seize advantage with a poorly delivered corner. Benitez must be worried about his side’s poor display in the second period.

71 mins (14:14) Another great counter-attack chance for Liverppol as a neat combination of passes by Torres and Riera, results in Gerrard firing narrowly wide inside the box. Despite their poor second-half display, Liverpool should have sealed this game by now.

73 mins (14:16) Cahill’s header is held by Reina comfortably from a free-kick, before Nolan’s drive is held well by the ex-Barcelona and Villareal keeper. Bolton are mounting pressure on Liverpool.

74 mins (14:17) GOAL 0-2: Steven Gerrard completes an effective break by Torres with an accomplished close-range header past Jaaskelainen’s opposite corner, as Liverpool have given Bolton a sucker punch and appear to have sealed the win. But Bolton don’t look likely to give up, with 15 minutes still left of play.

81 mins (14:24) Jaaskelainen denies Torres a third Liverpool goal with an instictive block from the Spaniard inside the box.

82 mins (14:25) Riera’s sumptuous footwork provides space for Xabi Alonso to hammer a powerful effort from outside the area at Jaaskelainen’s goal, only for the Fin to make a superb reflex save.

84 mins (14:27) Good Bolton pressure by Davies’ cross forces Javier Mascherano to concede a corner, only for Liverpool to scrappily clear.

86 mins (14:29) Poor defending by Liverpool allows Gardner a great chance to score and after his earlier miss, the substitute wastes his chance through on goal by blasting a volley harmlessly over the crossbar from a great position. Liverpool will count themselves fortunate there.

88 mins (14:31) Gardner’s slip inside the area presents substitute Lucas a chance to square the ball for Torres, who smashes over the bar from eight yards. A great chance to put gloss on the scoreline, which as Jimmy Armfield concedes, will make Robbie Keane feel better after Torres’ miss.

90 mins (14:34) Nolan’s effort is blocked as Liverpool just manage to escape the danger. Shortly after Agger blocks brilliantly from Davies’ fierce drive.   

90+3 mins (14:37) Gerrard’s clever angled diagonal chip on the edge of the box, finds Lucas who drives wide with the goal at his mercy. If not for Kuyt and Gerrard’s cool finishes, Liverpool might have rued their plethora of missed opportunities, but Bolton will regret their first-half disallowed goal, as Megson’s side lose 2-0 at the final whistle. Liverpool meanwhile move to the top of the Premier League, much to the delight of manager, Rafa Benitez.