by Francis Ningkan

Created on: November 27, 2008

Liverpool went back to the top of the Premier League by defeating Bolton 2-0 at the Reebok Stadium, thanks to goals from Dirk Kuyt and Steven Gerrard. An entertaining match at the Reebok Stadium was a far from comfortable victory for Liverpool- who survived a couple of big scares. Liverpool had deservedly taken the lead in the 29th minute when Dirk Kuyt brilliantly headed home a Fabio Aurelio cross. Bolton, who had a goal ruled out on the stroke of half-time, looked much better in the second half and pushed hard for an equaliser. But it never came and Liverpool sealed the victory with a second header as Gerrard dived into the six-yard box to meet a Fernando Torres cross.

Fernando Torres was left on the bench as Liverpool made nine changes for the match from the side that lost at Tottenham in The Carling Cup. Liverpool found out quickly that they would have to match Bolton's industry and willpower to take the 3 points. Tackles by Gavin McCann and Fabrice Muamba on Gerrard and Javier Mascherano respectively showed that. But Liverpool soon had Bolton pinned back as they got defenders Sami Hyypia, Daniel Agger and Jamie Carragher into dangerous wide positions. Likewise Albert Riera, but he twice wasted excellent openings on the right with poor delivery early on. Liverpool's patient build-up was starting to stretch Bolton. Mascherano and Gerrard both saw long shots go close before Dirk Kuyt saw an effort crash against the bar after 24 minutes from a Gerrard pass.

Liverpool went ahead when Fabio Aurelio's crossed from the left after 29 minutes and Kuyt rose to send a looping header into the top corner to give Liverpool the lead. Liverpool then started to power forward and somehow Robbie Keane managed to miss an open goal from two yards before Daniel Agger flashed a 25-yard effort just wide of the far post. Bolton had an effort from Cahill disallowed seconds before half time when he headed in a corner, with referee Rob Styles insisting that Reina had been fouled seconds earlier. Styles was booed off by the home fans at the break and almost from the restart Bolton were awarded a string of free-kicks which allowed them to mount the sort of intense aerial pressure they excel at. Ricardo Gardner came on for Muamba at the break and when he broke clear on the left after 52 minutes he almost equalised, as Reina's rush from his line forced a shot into the side-netting. Daniel Agger, hurling himself towards the post, collided with the woodwork. Liverpool then brought on Fernando Torres for Robbie Keane and from a right-wing cross from the Spanish striker, Gerrard almost got the second goal from a yard out. Liverpool were hanging on to their lead as Bolton hammered away in search of an equaliser.

But the danger was always clear for Bolton with Torres now on the pitch and after 73 minutes he created a superb second goal for Liverpool, clipping in a cross with the outside of his foot for Gerrard to send past Jaaskelainen in the Bolton goal with a diving header. Liverpool could make it 3-0 in the closing stages, but the Bolton goalkeeper saved superbly from both Torres and Xabi Alonso. Torres could also have scored after 88 minutes but he struck the post from Lucas' lay-off.

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