Dirk Kuyt sealed the victory for the Reds in the closing stages of the game and in fairness the Wanderers got exactly what they deserved as they failed to reach anywhere near the highs of the last two matches.

The hosts where admirabally lead by their captain Gerrard and they looked to get wingers Mark Gonzalez and Jermaine Pennant on the ball at every opportunity to test the Bolton full backs Hunt and Gardner.

Gerrard fired an early warning shot in the second minute when his trademark volley went wide of Jussi Jaaskelainen's post and whilst chances thereafter in the opening period where scarce Liverpool looked comfortable in possession.

On 28 minutes Jaaskelainen pulled off the first of a number of top class saves for Bolton when he tipped Steve Finnan's rasping shot from the edge of the area onto the crossbar.

Pennant in particular proved to be a constant nuisance to the Wanderers defence down the flanks and he unselfishly laid on a number of attempts for the hosts which failed to beat Jaaskelainen from distance, the most notable coming from John Arne Riise as the first half reached its conclusion.

The second half saw Liverpool continue much in the same veign as they had ended the first half. Bolton looked out of sorts and the service provided to the front three of Nicolas Anelka, El-Hadji Diouf and Kevin Davies was almost non existant.

It was only a matter of time before the Merseysiders scored and it was a special goal which came just after the hour. Pennant picked the ball up down the right flank and his pinpoint cross was acrobatically fired past Jaaskelainen by Peter Crouch.

A minute later and with Pennant involved again Liverpool doubled their advantage when the excellent Gerrard volleyed home a Dirk Kuyt cross past Jaaskelainen who was arguably Bolton's best player.

Trotters manager Sam Allardyce decided to make a double substitution in an attempt to improve Bolton's fortunes as Idan Tal and Ricardo Vaz-Te came into the action in place of Gary Speed and ex-Red El-Hadji Diouf who had an unhappy return to his former stompimg ground.

This introduction gave Bolton a little bit more scope on the ball but it was Liverpool who looked the more threatening when Crouch headed over the target and into the Kop End.

Bolton's best chance of the final period came when defender Abdoulaye Faye headed a left wing Ricardo Vaz-Te corner over the goalmouth of Liverpool keeper Pepe Reina.

The visitors man of the match Jaaskelainen then produced two saves of extreme quality, the first tipping over an effort from striker Kuyt and the second denying countryman Hyppia a headed goal.

Wanderers final throw of the dice came when Iran international Andranik Teimourian was given only his second league run out of the season when replacing the disappointing Nolan but the youngster despite his best efforts could not bring Bolton a glimmer of hope.

The game was won with just seven minutes left on the clock when Kuyt combined well with substitute Luis Garcia to put the game beyond doubt and move Liverpool up to third at Bolton's expense.

Bolton Wanderers: Jussi Jaaskelainen, Nicky Hunt, Abdoulaye Faye, Tal Ben-Haim, Ricardo Gardner, Kevin Nolan (Andranik Teimourian), Ivan Campo, Gary Speed (Idan Tal), Kevin Davies, Nicolas Anelka, El-Hadji Diouf (Ricardo Vaz-Te)

Subs Not Used: Abdoulaye Meite, Ali Al-Habsi (GK)

Liverpool: Pepe Reina, Steve Finnan, Jamie Carragher, Sami Hyppia, John Arne Riise, Jermaine Pennant, Steven Gerrard (Fabio Aurelio), Xabi Alonso, Mark Gonzalez (Luis Garcia), Peter Crouch, Dirk Kuyt (Robbie Fowler)

Subs Not Used: Daniel Agger, Jerzy Dudek (GK)

Referee:

Graham Poll

Attendance:

41,370

Booked:

Tal Ben-Haim (Bolton)

Ivan Campo (Bolton)

Abdoulaye Faye (Bolton)

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