Match Result: Liverpool 3 Bolton 0
Posted on: Fri 26 Dec 2008
Liverpool v Bolton Wanderers,
Barclays Premier League,
Friday 26 December, 2008
Anfield, 3pm Kick-Off
Send a message to today's matchday team on matchday@bwfc.co.ukFinal Score: Liverpool 3 (Riera 25, Keane 53, 57) Bolton 0
90+4 mins - After four minutes of stoppage time, Alan Wiley blows the final whistle. It's been a disappointing afternoon for the Whites as their winless streak at Anfield is extended by another game. Next up is Wigan at the Reebok Stadium in two days time. See you then.
90+3 mins - Jaaskelainen produces a superb diving save to thwart Benayoun.
90+2 mins - 'Ooohhs' from the home fans as El Zhar curls one just over the crossbar.
87 mins - The home supporters get excited as Jamie Carragher embarks on a jinking run from right-back. His through pass to Robbie Keane is cut out by Gretar Steinsson.
85 mins - It looks like Gary Cahill has picked up an injury, but he can't be substituted as Gary Megson has already made three changes. Cahill is pushed into midfield with Steinsson lining up next to Andy O'Brien in the heart of the defence.
84 mins - Smolarek pulls his shot just wide as Bolton look to grab a late consolation. It was a neat slide-rule ball from Muamba to release the Polish striker.
80 mins - McCann is booked for a late barge on Xabi Alonso. It's his fifth booking of the season and therefore he will now serve a one-match suspension.
77 mins - A third and final change for Liverpool. Ngog is on for Kuyt.
75 mins - El Zhar cuts in off the left-wing, nips past Steinsson, buts drags his shot wide of Jaaskelainen's near post.
72 mins - The flurry of substitutions continues as Gerrard is brought off for Lucas.
69 mins - Rafa Benitez decides the time is right to make their first change of the afternoon. It's Nabil El Zhar who is introduced for Albert Riera.
67 mins - A double change for Bolton. Riga and Smolarek come on for Taylor and Elmander.
65 mins - Steven Gerrard blazes wide from 25 yards out.
60 mins - 43,548 is the confirmed attendance at today's game.
57 mins - Goal for Liverpool! Robbie Keane scores his second of the afternoon following a swift counter attack. The number seven finished off a clinical move involving Alonso and Benayoun from six yards out.
53 mins - Goal for Liverpool! Robbie Keane gets Liverpool's second of the afternoon as he smashes the ball past Jaaskelainen from just inside the area.
50 mins - Bolton force their first corner of the game. Unfortunately it's collected comfortably by Reina
47 mins - Gretar Steinsson is the second man to be booked this afternoon for a late challenge on Xabi Alonso.
46 mins - Gary Megson has made one change at the break with Kevin Davies coming on for Jlloyd Samuel. It looks like the Whites have gone to 4-4-2, with Ricardo Gardner dropping to left-back.
45+1 mins - After one minute of stoppage time, Alan Wiley blows for half-time.
44 mins - Kevin Nolan is booked for a trip on Riera. Meanwhile, Benayoun has forced another Liverpool corner.
41 mins - Again Liverpool go close with a shot from distance. This time it's right-back Jamie Carragher who is only a few inches from hitting the target.
38 mins - Agger, known for his long-range thunderbolts, lashes one wide from 30-yards out.
36 mins - Yossi Benayoun volleys just wide. Another close shave for the Whites.
34 mins - A swift Liverpool attack breaks down when Insua over-hits his cross. Not much to report on over the last five minutes.
28 mins - Liverpool go in hunt of the second goal. Kuyt is denied by O'Brien, who uses his strength to the maximum to nudge the Dutch striker of the ball.
25 mins - Goal for Liverpool! Albert Riera nips in at the near post to prod home Gerrard's corner with his boot.
23 mins - Muamba produces a fantastic tackle inside his own area to rob Benayoun of possession. Livberpool force a couple of corners which Bolton head clear.
21 mins - Kuyt, unmarked, heads over from eight yards. Certainly a chance for Liverpool.
19 mins - The first piece of action for Jussi Jaaskelainen is a a low save to prevent Insua from opening the scoring with a left-foot volley from 25 yards out
15 mins - It's a patient start by Bolton, who are defending as a unit and getting men behind the ball.
10 mins - Jlloyd Samuel and Gary Cahill make timely headed clearances. Liverpool have dominated in the opening exchanges of this game.
8 mins - The linesman's flag gets Bolton off the hook. Benayoun appeared to be in on goal, but he was penalised for handball.
7 mins - Gary Megson is already up out of the dugout and is bellowing instructions at his players.
5 mins - Great defending by Steinsson as he deliberately kicks the ball against Riera to relieve the early Liverpool pressure. Bolton have a goal-kick
3 mins - Riera shoots from outside the box, it flicks off Gerrard and it's behind for a goal-kick.
2 mins - Almost a great start by the Whites. Bolton break down the right through Elmander and Taylor, the ball is flicked to Nolan, who tries to chip Reina from 12 yards. Unfortunately the Spaniard backtracks and claims the ball under his own crossbar.
3.00 - We are off and running at Anfield.
2.59 - It looks like Kevin Nolan has won the coin toss and decided to turn Liverpool around. They will now be attacking the Kop in the first half rather than in the second.
2.57 - A bit later than normal we have the customary 'You'll Never Walk Alone' song played out over the tannoy. There are flags and scarves everywhere!
2.55 - Out come the players, who are greeted to a huge cheer from all four corners of Anfield.
2.40 - Twenty minutes to go until kick-off and Anfield is already buzzing. We've been treated to a few Christmas songs by the PA announcer as this famous old ground begins to fill up. About 1,200 fans have made the trip from Bolton and they are already in good voice.
2.38 - Not forgetting Pete Harris who also has emailed in his thoughts. His message is simply entitled 'attack, attack, attack' and he wants Gary Megson's men to continue the attractive football against Liverpool and Wigan over the next two games.
2.37 - Clive Brooks has got in touch too. Looking back on Saturday's result, he said 'Well done lads, those are the games you have to win'.
2.35 - We had a few emails sent in after the full-time whistle at the weekend. Margaret Holt sent in a message saying 'well done boys, let's get some more wins under are belts now'. Three points is certainly the order of the day again but it would mean breaking a 54-year duck if we are to come away with the spoils this afternoon!
2.33 - The teamsheets have just been handed to us and we can report that Gary Megson makes one change from last weekend's victory over Portsmouth. In comes Fabrice Muamba and out goes Kevin Davies, who drops down to the bench. There's no Fernando Torres for Liverpool, while Mascherano is named as a substitute.
Liverpool: Reina, Hyypia, Agger, Keane, Gerrard, Reira, Alonso, Benayoun, Kuyt, Insua, Carragher (Subs: Cavalieri, Babel, Mascherano, Lucas, Ngog, El Zhar, Darby)
Bolton: Jaaskelainen, Steinsson, Andy O'Brien, Cahill, Samuel, McCann, Muamba, Nolan, Gardner, Taylor, Elmander (Subs: Al Habsi, Davies, Shittu, Smolarek, Riga, Basham, Obadeyi)
2.30 - Hello and welcome to a sunny but very chilly Anfield. Everyone at Bolton Wanderers wishes you have had a Merry Christmas as we get back to the nitty gritty of Premier League football following yesterday's festivities. Half an hour until kick-off and we'll have all the team news in due course.
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