Liverpool produced an impressive performance to overcome Bolton 3-1 at Anfield and continue their strong start to the season.
Henderson, Skrtel and Adam on target in 3-1 victory
Liverpool produced an impressive performance to overcome Bolton 3-1 at Anfield and continue their strong start to the season.
The opening goal came on 15 minutes when Jussi Jaaskelainen brilliantly denied Stewart Downing following a sublime Luis Suarez cross, but Bolton could not fully clear their lines and Jordan Henderson rifled an excellent finish into the top corner.
Any chance Bolton had of getting back into the game was snuffed out in the space of a couple of minutes in the second half as Liverpool extended their lead from one goal to three.
First it was Martin Skrtel who made it 2-0 with a powerful header from a corner on 52 minutes, before Charlie Adam fired in a low shot from the edge of the area.
Bolton grabbed a late consolation thanks to Ivan Klasnic but the final whistle blew moments later to leave Liverpool top of the table on goal difference ahead of Sunday's action.
Ferocious tempo
The home team maintained a ferocious tempo from the kick-off with Suarez, preferred to Andy Carroll up front, at the heart of almost all their attacking play.
With another new player in Downing also influential, Liverpool looked a different proposition from the Roy Hodgson side which started the last campaign so sluggishly.
For Bolton defeat was a reality check after a promising start to the season.
It may also have been their last game with Gary Cahill as Arsenal consider whether to make another bid for the inspirational defender before Wednesday's transfer deadline.
Bolton struggled to cope with the pace of Liverpool and were fortunate to survive when Downing lost control in the area after a quick counter-attack.
It came as little surprise when the Reds claimed the lead after more good work in the 15th minute.
Suarez brilliantly crossed into the box with the outside of his left boot and Jaaskelainen reacted quickly to keep out Downing's volley.
Dirk Kuyt was first to the loose ball and fed Henderson who, after his first effort was blocked by Nigel Reo-Coker, fired firmly into the top corner.
Bolton almost grabbed a spectacular equaliser moments later when Chris Eagles crossed for Martin Petrov but Jose Reina parried the Bulgarian's tight-angled volley.
Liverpool upped the tempo with Suarez driving forward and Kuyt almost diverting in a low cross in from close range.
Suarez then broke clear and coolly lobbed Jaaskelainen but the ball dropped just over the bar.
Both sides were forced to reorganise midway through the first half. Bolton sent on Mark Davies after Fabrice Muamba went off before Liverpool right-back Martin Kelly, who missed the closing months of last season, left the action to be replaced by Skrtel.
Suarez delivered another dangerous cross but Kuyt volleyed straight at Jaaskelainen from a Downing flick-on.
Kuyt then went close from long range before the Reds appealed for a penalty when Gretar Steinsson handled as Downing tried to flick the ball past him.
Replays, however, backed referee Lee Probert's decision to give a free-kick just outside the box and Henderson's cross was cleared.
Pressure
Liverpool maintained the pressure after the break and within moments of the restart Suarez was clear again.
The Uruguayan broke into the box but his fall after an attempted challenge by Zat Knight seemed rather theatrical.
Suarez, with countryman and prospective new signing Sebastian Coates watching in the main stand, was then involved in the action again on the edge of the area.
He was bundled off the ball but Adam picked up possession and had a shot deflected wide.
The Scot took the resulting corner himself and delivered an inviting cross for Skrtel to double the lead with a thumping header.
Adam got on the scoresheet barely a minute later as he finished off good work from Kuyt by firing low past Jaaskelainen.
It almost got worse for Bolton as Suarez rounded Jaaskelainen but shot into the side-netting.
Bolton had a rare opportunity when Klasnic had a shot blocked by Jamie Carragher.
But there was little respite for the Trotters as Daniel Agger charged forward from deep to fire a shot well over.
Liverpool should have had a free-kick inside the area when Jaaskelainen clearly handled a back-pass from Paul Robinson under pressure from Suarez but Probert gave nothing.
Suarez and Henderson made way for Carroll and Maxi Rodriguez 14 minutes from time.
The Reds eased off but continued to dominate possession with Jose Enrique twice finding room to whip in good crosses.
Some of the gloss was taken off their afternoon, however, when Petrov troubled Carragher and Klasnic tapped in a stoppage-time consolation.
| Liverpool |
Team Statistics |
Bolton Wanderers |
| 3 |
Goals |
1 |
| 1 |
1st Half Goals |
0 |
| 6 |
Shots on Target |
3 |
| 8 |
Shots off Target |
4 |
| 6 |
Blocked Shots |
3 |
| 12 |
Corners |
6 |
| 4 |
Fouls |
8 |
| 3 |
Offsides |
0 |
| 0 |
Yellow Cards |
2 |
| 0 |
Red Cards |
0 |
| 81.9 |
Passing Success |
76.2 |
| 25 |
Tackles |
19 |
| 76 |
Tackles Success |
68.4 |
| 58.7 |
Possession |
41.3 |
| 47 |
Territorial Advantage |
53 |
|
