It was a crucial game for Liverpool to stay in the race for the title. With Bolton Wanderers playing against them at the REEBOK it was a challenging task for Liverpool but given their form this season it should be no big deal to tackle the home side.Both teams started the match by coming out of separate tunnels,unusual elsewhere but a unique thing at the REEBOK. The pitch was slippery and players were skidding frequently. Liverpool started the first half with the kick-off and gradually started dominating over their opponents,creating many chances until Dirk Kuyt scored a superb header with the cross coming from Fabio Aurelio. Bolton's tactics was to restrict Gerrard from running wild in the pitch,playing with just 10 players and assigning a player to mark Stevie Gee. This strategy worked well till Liverpool had not scored. Once Liverpool were in the front Bolton needed to bounce back to get anything out of the game. The old strategy followed by Bolton had only Kevin davies up front thus giving them not many options. Liverpool should have doubled their lead when Kuyt took the ball past the Bolton defender and gave a lollypop chance to Keane who failed to net the ball in from 3 yards. Right before half time Bolton had a corner and also converted it but was ruled out by referee Rob Styles becuase he thought Nolan had pushed Reina,not allowing the Liverpool goalkeeper to move. gary magson was absolutely furiuos over the decision and uttering the the four letter word F***.
The Bolton manager made some more tactical changes to the squad by bringing in Gardner. Bolton started the second half aggressively and with confidence. Their back to back wins had pulled them from 18th spot to 9th in the league table standings. Gardner broke through the Liverpool defence 6-7 minutes after the second half had started,Hyppia failing to mark him properly, he (Gardner) also rounded Reina but failed to score in the open net because just before kicking the ball he slipped and fell,the ball going haywire. In the process to prevent gardner from scoring Agger came running in jsu to find the Goal post and BANG, crashing himself in it and hurting his jaw.
Steve Gee was now playing upfront with Keane,feeling more free than the first 35 minutes which were frustating for him as Muamba was continuously marking him. Keane was substituted for Torres and Riera for Lucas Lieva. Torres once again proved he is the King by tackling the Bolton defenders with ease. His swift move and pass gave Gerrard a chance to take Liverpool further ahead by giving the ball right across the face of the goal but Gerrard too like Keane failed to convert it. Minutes after that, a superb outer foot cross by Torres gave Gerrard the chance to head the ball in,doubling Liverpool's lead and making Gerrard -Torres combination look deadly.
Liverpool had ample chances to take the screline to a higher level but failed to capitalise on the chances,Torres hitting the cross bar and Lucas heading the ball away from the net.
Liverpool's midfield was superbly controlled by Alonso and Mascherano ( the swiftest player in the squad other than Torres).Liverpool once again went ahead,leaving Chelsea to play catch-catch for the top position. The'REDS' got all 3 points and are still serious contenders for the title. Go LIVERPOOL
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