Liverpool	4 - 0	Bolton
Scorers Hyypia 17 Torres 45 Gerrard (pen) 56 Babel 86	Half Time ( 2 - 0 )	Booked Diouf 11 Campo 61 Michalik 69

Steven Gerrard created two goals and scored one himself as Liverpool demolished a sad Bolton side to move up to third in the table and leave the Trotters in relegation trouble.

The hosts were in control for the whole game and overran Bolton who showed just why they are down near the foot of the table. Fernando Torres was given another start for the Reds, alongside Crouch up front, with Benayoun beginning the game in midfield again.

Bolton started with Kevin Davies on the right-hand side of midfield, supporting Nicolas Anelka up front. But while the attack failed to fire on all cylinders, they also couldn’t stop Liverpool’s patient build-up from the back or the ferocious hunger of Harry Kewell and Benayoun going forward early on.

Gerrard’s free-kick after 17 minutes was headed in by Sami Hyypia to give Liverpool a deserved lead and set them on their way to their fifth straight Premiership victory. Some loose marking by the Bolton defence gifted the defender the goal and indicated the resurgence of the visitors under Gary Megson isn’t as straightforward as it appeared.

Bolton had the chance to equalise after 38 minutes when the ball fell to Nicolas Anelka but he missed an open goal. A collision between Jose Reina and Jamie Carragher appeared to lay the goal on a plate for the striker after a Kevin Davies pass but somehow he could only hit the side netting from 12 yards.

And Torres rubbed salt into the wound shortly before half-time when he scored his 12th goal of the season. Gerrard rolled a ball into his path and he calmly dinked the ball over the advancing Jussi Jaaskelainen for 2-0 at the break.

It could’ve been more impressive for Liverpool at half-time but Crouch’s effort was blocked on the line by Lubomir Michalik in what was a disappointing first 45 minutes from the striker.

Bolton changed formation after the interval in an effort to prevent the ease with which Liverpool played. But their defence still found it difficult to cope with the constant surges forward from the home side.

Gerrard showed his intentions in the opening minutes with a storming run and shot which Jaaskelainen did well to keep out. But the result was put beyond doubt less than 10 minutes in the second-half when Abdoulaye Meite fouled Crouch and Gerrard scored from the penalty spot.

Liverpool continued to threaten as the second-half was completely dominated by the Anfield side. Anelka’s snap-shot was saved by Reina in one of their only chances and at the other end, Torres beat three defenders before firing over as Bolton looked out of their depth at the back and increasingly uninspiring in attack.

Ryan Babel ended the rout four minutes from time when he tapped in the fourth after the goalkeeper had parried a shot from substitute Dirk Kuyt. He could’ve had a second before the end but Meite headed off the line to keep the score at least half-respectable.

The result moves Liverpool above Manchester United on goal difference and maintains their unbeaten league record. It also makes them one of the top scorers in the Premier League and, coupled with the meanest defence, shows that the title isn’t going to be confined to just a two horse race this year.

As for Bolton, their league seventh defeat of the season keeps them just goal difference above the drop zone and has shown Gary Megson how much work there is to do at the Reebok. It could’ve been more embarrassing for them on Merseyside and the manager must’ve joined in his team in willing the referee to end the game before Liverpool piled on more misery.


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

Subs Not Used: Itandje, Mascherano.

Bolton: 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.

Att: 43,270

Ref: Steve Bennett (Kent).

By Ben Hughes