Liverpool 4-0 Bolton

FA Premiership
Sunday 2nd December 2007 @ 3pm
Anfield

Liverpool hammered Bolton 4-0 at Anfield to move back in to 3rd place in the Premiership. Benitez opted to start with both Torres and Crouch up front, their first start together in the Premiership, but it was Steven Gerrard who once again was instrumental in Liverpool’s victory.

An early Gerrard free kick found Sami Hyypia who headed past the Bolton keeper. Gerrard again helped Liverpool to their second, just before half time. Bolton’s minds were possibly on the half time team-talk already, but Gerrard’s pass found Torres who then lifted the ball beautifully over Jaaskalaeinen who was rushing towards him. Another cool finish from our number 9.

The old boys in the Bolton side Nicolas Anelka and El Hadji Diouf had miserable appearances. Anelka should have equalised when the reds were 1-0 up, Carra and Reina took each other out the game in trying to clear a ball, and Anelka had an open goal to aim at. He shot wide much to the amusement, and relief, of Liverpool fans. Diouf attempted to remove Arbeloa’s legs in a horrendous tackle. He was very lucky to only be handed a yellow card.

The second half and another two goals for the reds, who are developing a ruthless streak these days which is to be welcomed. Crouch was fouled in the box, and Steven Gerrard stepped up to score from the spot. Torres went off to have a rest and his replacement Dirk Kuyt fired a shot at the Bolton keeper – the ball was a bit too hot to handle and it was Ryan Babel who was on hand to get the reds 4th goal.

Another convincing win, another big scoreline for the reds and we move ahead of United on goal difference, until tomorrow at least.

The reds are now unbeaten in their last 15 Premiership matches and have conceded only 6 goals in the 14 games this season.

Click here to watch the goals

Post Match Reaction:

Rafael Benitez:

“The team had confidence and you can see that in the number of chances we are creating.

“We’re trying to keep the momentum, but we’re in a good position, much better than last season.

“The second goal was important as it gave us more space and they had to change their shape.”

Bolton manager Gary Megson:

“It was a poor day for us, but we will pick up ourselves up.

“There will be no knee-jerk reaction. Given Nicolas Anelka’s status it was a poor miss, but there were many other things that didn’t go for us.

“I’m most disappointed about the first goal as we didn’t get our best headers on it. You learn from adversity and we’ll see how we react to this.”

Teams:

Liverpool: Reina, Arbeloa, Hyypia, Carragher (Hobbs 51), Riise, Benayoun, Gerrard, Lucas, Kewell (Babel 67), Torres (Kuyt 76), Crouch.

Subs Not Used: Itandje, Mascherano.

Goals: Hyypia 17, Torres 45, Gerrard 56 pen, Babel 86. Bolton: Jaaskelainen, Samuel, Meite, Michalik, Gardner, McCann, Campo, Speed, Davies, Anelka, Diouf (Giannakopoulos 66).

Subs Not Used: Al Habsi, Wilhelmsson, Teymourian, Alonso.

Booked: Diouf, Campo, Michalik.

Att: 43,270

Ref: Steve Bennett (Kent).

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