Source: Team_Talk
Maxi's late strike casts spell on Trotters
Maxi Rodriguez struck a late winner as Liverpool finally climbed out of the Premier League relegation zone with a 1-0 victory at Bolton.[LNB] The Argentinian latched onto a brilliant Fernando Torres backheel to settle a competitive encounter at the Reebok Stadium four minutes from time.[LNB]Both sides created numerous chances in an evenly-matched contest but Liverpool left satisfied knowing their near month-long stay in the bottom three was over.[LNB]The match had looked like bringing more frustration for Liverpool and under-pressure boss Roy Hodgson as Sotirios Krygiakos twice went close and Torres squandered a good early opportunity.[LNB]The win drew them level on points with Bolton, who had been enjoying their best start for four years and were looking set for a seventh draw of the campaign.[LNB]They might even have won it themselves had a late Kevin Davies glancing header fallen the right side of the post.[LNB]Hodgson named the same Liverpool team for the third successive Premier League game as he attempted to instil the cohesion they have been lacking.[LNB]It initially appeared to work as the Reds, hoping to build on last week's morale-boosting win over Blackburn, started confidently and created two early chances for Torres.[LNB]The first came after three minutes as Steven Gerrard swung in a corner but Torres could not keep his header on target.[LNB]His next chance came just five minutes later but, despite netting last week's winner, the Spaniard still showed signs of the rustiness that has hampered him all season.[LNB]Torres raced through on goal from a Gerrard pass but delayed a shot and then mis-kicked as he attempted to stab past Jussi Jaaskelainen from close range.[LNB]Bolton's first attempt on goal came when Stuart Holden blasted a free-kick at the wall from 25 yards.[LNB]After that Bolton gave as good as they got and Jose Reina parried a vicious Holden volley from distance after the US international was teed up by Davies.[LNB]The hosts appealed for a penalty as Lee Chung-yong cut inside from the left and went down under a challenge from Jamie Carragher but referee Martin Atkinson played on to few complaints.[LNB]Liverpool attacked back but Cole scooped a long-range effort well over the bar and Gerrard did likewise from a free-kick.[LNB]Fabrice Muamba shot from long range for Bolton but his effort curved well away from goal.[LNB]Torres set up Gerrard but the Reds skipper drove wide from the edge of the box.[LNB]Taylor tested Reina with two free-kicks just before the break but the Spaniard managed to smother both attempts and Carragher survived another penalty appeal after the faintest of touches with the hand.[LNB]Krygiakos, goalscorer in two of the previous three league games, forced Jaaskelainen to save from a Gerrard cross in injury time.[LNB]Bolton made the early running in the second half and twice forced Liverpool to clear unconvincingly without creating a clear-cut chance.[LNB]Gerrard tried to raise Liverpool's fading tempo with a powerful run and long ball for Torres, but a promising attack was ended as Muamba collided with Lucas.[LNB]Gerrard found good space on the edge of the box but his shot was deflected into the air and claimed easily by Jaaskelainen.[LNB]Liverpool suffered a blow just after the hour as Cole was forced off with what looked like a hamstring injury and was replaced by David Ngog.[LNB]Krygiakos again went close when Gerrard picked him out from a corner but this time headed narrowly over.[LNB]Krygiakos was then involved at the other end after bundling into Davies but Atkinson deemed the Bolton captain to have gone down too easily.[LNB]Liverpool might have been struggling to produce the intensity their fans demanded but pieced together a move of genuine quality as Rodriguez finally got into the game midway through the second half.[LNB]Rodriguez sent Gerrard away down the left with a clever backheel and the captain whipped in a cross for Torres.[LNB]Torres nodded back down for Rodriguez to attempt a spectacular overhead kick which went just inches over. Bolton replied as in-form Johan Elmander, looking for his first home goal of the season after hitting five away, showed great control and drove just wide of the post.[LNB]Zat Knight then headed over from the resulting corner and Davies also glanced a header wide from a free-kick as the Trotters enjoyed a strong spell.[LNB]But Liverpool roused themselves late on and carved Bolton open with a delightful move to set up the winner for Rodriguez.[LNB]Torres was the creator as he nutmegged Gary Cahill with a clever backheel and Rodriguez raced through.[LNB]The Argentinian showed great composure as he clipped the ball in off the body of Jaaskelainen.
