Liverpool fans should be giddy with delight after a performance against Bolton that was of quality that has been scarce or even nonexistent throughout the entire 2009-2010 season. With star striker Fernando Torres still unavailable due to a knee injury Liverpool were perhaps not as clinical in their finishing as manager Rafael Benitez would have liked.
Rafa Benitez opted for an attacking line-up with Alberto Aquilani replacing Lucas Leiva in the centre of midfield and David N’Gog replacing new signing Maxi Rodriguez.
The first half begun with both sides looking dangerous in particular for Bolton young South Korean winger Chung-Yong Lee with his tricky footwork and decent deliveries. In fact Chung-Yong Lee almost put the visitors ahead after breaking through the Liverpool defence and getting around Pepe Reina only for his eventual shot to be stopped on the goal line by Sotiris Kyrgiakos who managed to stick out his left leg with perfect reflexes.
Liverpool threatened the Bolton goal many times with Albert Riera and Emiliano Insua linking up well on the left hand side and Steven Gerrard looking himself again, playing some immaculate passes to David N’Gog.
However it wasn’t until the 37th minute where Liverpool managed to turn their dominance in a lead with a long pass from Albert Riera to Emiliano Insua who delivered a good cross with perhaps a little too much power on it, the ball looked to be going out until Alberto Aquilani could head it from the by-line back into the 6-yard-box for Dirk Kuyt to poke the ball into the back of the net to give Liverpool a deserved 1-0 half time lead.
On the 53rd minute Liverpool wasted what was probably one of the better chance they had all game after Gerrrad’s shot was parried to David N’Gog who will be applying for a chef’s job after making a delicious meal of it hitting the ball with the outside of his right-foot. The left-footer can perhaps be forgiven for not being able to take it on his preferred foot.
Liverpool’s second half performance was like something out of the Liverpool Season Review: 2008-2009 DVD with Liverpool playing with desire and passion something which has been strangely absent now for a while.
Liverpool got on the board for a second time after a corner from Steven Gerrard being headed backwards by substitute Lucas Leiva to David N’Gog who passed it back to Emiliano Insua standing on the edge of the box. He delivered a fierce shot which was likely going well wide until hitting Kevin Davies and tacking a massive deflection which meant the ball shot into the bottom left hand corner of the net. Had Kevin Davies meant to do it, it would have been some goal.
Bolton eventually took of Defensive Midfielder and Gerrard’s man marker Fabrice Muamba meaning Liverpool were bound to look less restrained towards the end of the match which was evidently true and Liverpool looked like they were playing with increased confidence and finesse with Bolton’s midfield looking non-existent.
Despite the 2-0 scoreline on another day it could have easily been 4-0 or more. A good Liverpool performance at last.
Your Comments:
Rick (guest)- January 31st 2010.
Great result!
KopThat! - January 31st 2010.
Pretty happy with the performance. Patches where we looked a bit unsure at the back, specifically when Lee got through Kyrgiakos and Skrtel without needing to do anything special, but otherwise much improved performance and happy to get the victory. Gerrard was immense.
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