• Date: Sun 02 March 2008
  • Venue: Reebok Stadium
  • Ref: Dowd, P
  • Attendance: 24,004
1 - 3
Liverpool

Liverpool

Babel (60)

Aurelio (75)

Bolton Wanderers vs Liverpool

Team Lineups

Bolton Wanderers

Jussi Jaaskelainen
Joey O'Brien
Andy O'Brien
Gary Cahill
Gretar Steinsson (Grzegorz Rasiak, 42)
Ramos Ivan Campo
Ricardo Gardner
Matt Taylor
Kevin Nolan (Tamir Cohen, 46)
Kevin Davies, K
El Hadji Diouf

Liverpool

Jose Manuel Reina
Sami Hyypia
Fabio Aurelio
Martin Skrtel
Jamie Carragher
Steven Gerrard
Javier Mascherano
Xabi Alonso
Ryan Babel
Dirk Kuyt (Alvaro Arbeloa, 86)
Fernando Torres (John Arne Riise, 77)


Live Text Commentary
Full time
 

It's all over, with Liverpool picking up a valuable three points to leave Bolton is deep relegation mire.

91

Two minutes of injury time are announced by the fourth official.

90
Yellow Card
 

Davies is booked after a typical striker's challenge towards the end of the game.

89

It has been a solid performance from Liverpool today, they have taken their chances well and deserve the three points.

88

Liverpool hit Bolton on the counter attack, but a poor pass from Aurelio means the attack comes to a premature end.

87
Substitution
 

Dirk Kuyt is replaced by Alvaro Arbeloa as Benitez looks to make sure of the three points.

86

As we approach the last few minutes, it looks likely that Liverpool are going to record their first away win since Boxing Day, when they ran out 2-1 victors against Derby at Pride Park.

84

Kuyt nearly makes sure of the points, but the striker puts the ball just over the bar from six yards out. A great chance to get on the scoresheet is wasted.

83

Bolton are piling on the pressure now, but they can't create another opportunity as Liverpool's defence stands firm.

81

Another quick goal now for Bolton will give them a chance of getting back to level terms - what an unlikely comeback that would be.

79
Goal
 

Two corners in quick succession for Bolton result in a headed goal by Tamir Cohen - surely it is too late?

78
Substitution
 

John Arne Riise is brought on to replaces Torres, who has had a quiet game by his standards.

77

That has to be game over now, and a third goal is nothing short of what the away side deserve. They have been dominant.

75
Goal
 

Fantastic strike from Aurelio makes it 3-0 after the ball fell to him at the edge of the area.

75

Nice pne touch passing from Liverpool down the right hand side is only stopped by Gardner who concedes a throw in. They are playing with great confidence now.

73

A poor kick from Reina falls to Davies, but his strike doesn't threaten the goal and a good opportunity is wasted.

73

Given their dominace in this half, don't be suprised if Liverpool add to their lead as Bolton throw men forward.

71

Fabio Aurelio busts down the left hand side, before crossing to Gerrard who sees his shot blocked by Cahill. The Liverpool skipper claims handball, but the referee waves play on.

69

Gerrad's menacing cross is dealt with by Joey O'Brien, who concedes a corner. The result of which is an off target strike by Kuyt.

68

It does seem that Liverpool will take 4th place after this result, although Everton could take it once again when they entertain Portsmouth later today.

66

Babel threatens down the left hand side again, winning a corner for his side which is easily cleared by Bolton.

65

Bolton require something special from someone now if they are to get back in the game, Davies seems the most likely to deliver.

63

It has to be said that Babel's overall performance has deserved a goal today, he finished it very well as well.

60
Goal
 

Babel makes it 2-0 after he reacted quickest after Kuyt's shot hit the post - is that game over?

59

If Bolton do manage to score today, it will be the first time they have done so on home soil since Nolan's effort against Blackburn on January 13th.

57

Megson would have expected more from his side at the beginning of this half, they are yet to get going at all.

56

It's been all Liverpool so far this half, a Gerrard corner is wasted though as Carragher's effort goes well wide of the target.

55

Hyypia surges forward again, but yet again Cahill saves Bolton as he puts the ball out for a corner.

54

An over-head kick from Sami Hyypia (yes, Sami Hyypia), from the edge of the area goes straight to Jaaskelainen as Liverpool search for a second goal.

53

Cahill has been superb for Bolton today, his last ditch challenge prevents Gerrard latching onto a Torres flick on.

52

One thing Liverpool are failing to do, is hold the ball up front. Cahill and O'Brien are often getting the better of Torres and Dirk Kuyt. Maybe it's time for Peter Crouch to be introduced.

51

Jamie Carragher concedes a free kick after an altercation with Diouf, although it appears Carragher was more the victim and was unlucky to be penalised.

50

Bolton faired a lot better in this fixture last season, goals from Gary Speed and Ivan Campo gave them a 2-0 win over today's opponents.

48

A long throw from Fabio Aurelio looking for Torres is cut out well by Cahill, Bolton style tactics from Liverpool there, but the long throw didn't work this time.

46
Substitution
 

Tamir Cohen replaces the injured Nolan at the break, the Bolton skipper suffering a back injury during the first half.

46

Liverpool have never kept a clean sheet at the Reebok Stadium, do so today an they will reclaim 4th spot from Everton.

Second half
 

The second half is underway, with Bolton looking to get themselves back into the game as Liverpool look to hold onto a vital three points.

Half time
 

It's half time at the Reebok stadium, with Jaaskelainen's own goal seperating the two sides.

45
Yellow Card
 

Rasiak is booked after a nasty challenge on Xabi Alonso.

44

Babel has been a constant threat so far today, this time he beats two players before hitting a powerul strike towards goal.Jaaskelainen does well to parry the effort.

43
Substitution
 

Gretar Steinsson is replaced by on loan striker Grzegorz Rasiak for Bolton. Can he make the difference?

42

Gerrard is played through by Torres, but surrounded by defenders, the Liverpool skipper can't find a team mate withhis cross.

40

A long throw from Ivan Campo falls to Nolan, but the Bolton skipper's effort is way off target - it would have been some goal had that found the back of the net.

37

Great play from Cahill prevents Babel making it 2-0. After being played through by Gerrard, the defender does enough to deflect his effort behind for a corner. Babel should hae done better there.

36

From the resulting free kick taken by Taylor, Cahill shoulders the ball wide of the target. Bolton are always a threat from set pieces.

35
Yellow Card
 

Sami Hyypia is booked after bringing down Diouf, after being beaten by his former team mate.

35

Gerrard's looping ball over the top almost finds the impressive Babel, but Gary Cahill intercepts the ball and clears the danger. Solid defending from the former Villa man.

33

Gerrard's corner is cleared away well by Andy O'Brien, under pressure from Torres. The Spanish striker is yet to have an impact on the game.

31

The omens aren't great for Bolton having conceded the opening goal, they have failed to win in any of the 14 matches in which they have gone behind this season.

29

Diouf gets the better of Skrtel this time, but his cross fails to find a team mate. They are slowly getting themselves back in this.

27

Bolton almost level things up, Kevin Nolan's cross from the left hand side finds Kevin Davies who sees his glancing header saved brilliantly by Jose Manuel Reina who holds onto the ball.

26

Great cross field pass from Taylor finds fromer Liverpool man Diouf, but he is tackled well by Martin Skrtel. The Bolton winger has been quiet so far, his team need him to shine.

25

Bolton give the ball away cheaply in midfield, which launces another Liverpool attack, only a great intervention from Gardner prevents an attempt on goal.

24

Bolton will have to find the back of the net if they are to get a result today. Something they have found hard since Nicolas Anelka's move to Chelsea.

22

Liverpool are continuing their dominace since the goal, the crowd are quiet and it seems it could be a matter of time before Rafael Benitez's men double their lead.

20

Gerrard is in the thick of the action yet again, as the ball falls to him at the edge of the box. However, the Liverpool skipper fires his shot straight at the Bolton keeper.

19

The game has settled down now as a fantastic cross field ball from Gerrard sets Babel away, who forces a great save from Jaaskelainen.

17

Ironic cheers greet Jaaskelainen's every touch from the Liverpool fans - hardly suprising after such an horrific error.

17

Despite the rly goal, Liverpool will be wary of a Bolton backlash. The Reds haven't won at the Reebok stadium, since September 2002.

14

It appears that Gerrard's strike which led to the goal was going comfortably wide until Jaaskelainen's intervention. Not a great way to mark his 250th game for the club.

13

The game is very lively and end to end now, after a promising start from the home side, they are unlucky to go behind.

11
Goal
 

An awful error from Jussi Jaaskelainen gives Liverpool the lead, Gerrard's strike is going wide before the Bolton keeper deflects the ball into the net.

10

Bolton's second corner of the game very nearly gives them the lead. Joey O'Brien's ader at the back post is cleared off the line by Gerrard. A bright start by Gary Megson's men.

8

Nice play again from the away side, Gerrard links up well with Babel, who runs out of space before he can put a ball into the box. Good counter attack though.

7

First threat from Liverpool, sees Steven Gerrard send Fernando Torres away down the right hand side, but his cross is to heavy for the waiting Ryan Babel.

5

The resulting free kick almost results in the first goal of the game, El Hadji Diouf's effort avades everyone in the penalty box and strikes the crossbar before being cleared.

4

Bolton have started on top here, a neat passing move is brought to an end by a wreckless challenge from Javier Mascherano on Ricardo Gardner. The Argentine is lucky to get away with a warning.

3

Taylor is involved once again as his free kick from the right hand side is wasted and easily cleared by Liverpool. His service will have to be better than that if Bolton are to be a threat from set pieces.

2

Ryan Babel lookes to counter attack for Liverpool, but an impressive sliding challenge from Matthew Taylor ends any fears for the home side.

1

Drawing games has been Liverpool's problem this season, they have only lost three times, but drawn five of their last eight games.

Kickoff
 

Underway at the Reebok Stadium, with Bolton searching for their sixth win under Gary Megson against a Liverpool side looking to reclaim 4th spot from local rivals Everton.