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Barclays Premier League, Saturday 27th August 2011, Anfield, 17:30pm

Liverpool FC 3-1 Bolton Wanderers

Referee: Lee Probert   H-T: 1-0    Att:  44,725

Match Report

Jordan Henderson and Charlie Adam opened their competitive accounts as Liverpool went top of the league with a 3-1 win over Bolton Wanderers on Saturday tea-time.

Martin Skrtel was the other scorer on a day when Kenny Dalglish's boys treated their supporters to a superb exhibition of football.

Ivan Klasnic fired a consolation in injury-time but the Reds now lead the pack on goal difference ahead of Sunday's fixtures after completing their best start to a league season for 17 years.

Andy Carroll had to settle for a place on the bench for the visit of Owen Coyle and co, who last season had the worst away record in the Barclays Premier League. That meant Dirk Kuyt partnered Luis Suarez up front.

The opening exchanges were characterised by Liverpool playing some sumptuous football, Charlie Adam the puppeteer in midfield while Suarez and Kuyt played like Jacks who refused to go in their boxes.


The only surprise when the home side opened the scoring was that it took 15 minutes. Suarez was the architect with a swerving cross struck with the outside of his right foot. Downing's first-time volley was saved by Jussi Jaaskelainen but Henderson was there to guide the ball into the top corner before wheeling away in ecstasy.

Bolton attempted an instant reply but Pepe Reina was on guard and aware to block Martin Petrov's hit.

The game was developing into an open affair and Liverpool could have added to their lead twice in quick succession, first when Adam bypassed the Bolton defence with a lofted ball to Suarez, then when Henderson centred to Kuyt. On both occasions the strikers just failed to connect.

Next Henderson played Suarez clean through. The Uruguayan could have gone either way round Jaaskelainen but instead chose the lob and was unfortunate to hit the roof of the net.

The crowd were jubilant at the football they were witnessing - the pass and move philosophy being played out before their eyes.

But not everything was going Dalglish's way. On 30 minutes the Scot was forced to swap Martins - the injured Kelly being replaced by fit again Skrtel.

Kuyt was next to threaten before the break, angling over from 12 yards after another neat move from the hosts.

The final act of the period saw Gretar Steinsson cautioned for handball right on the chalk of the penalty area. Referee Lee Probert enraged the Liverpool players by not awarding a penalty but those in red should have done better with the free-kick.

The question now was whether Liverpool could avoid a repeat of their opening day draw with Sunderland, when a superb first half was followed by a languid second.

The answer came seven minutes after the restart when Skrtel headbutted an Adam corner into the Kop net.

A minute later, with The Fields of Anfield Road still echoing across L4, Adam made it 3-0 with a right-foot drive into the bottom corner from 25 yards. It was party time inside English football's most atmospheric stadium.

Suarez almost made it four after rounding Jaaskelainen but it was the side and not the back of the net that rippled.

The crowd were on their feet again on 77 minutes when Maxi replaced Henderson - the latter receiving a standing ovation for his man of the match display.

Skrtel almost collected a second goal with 80 minutes on the clock, while substitute Carroll swivelled before firing wide inside the box.

Liverool's final chance of the game fell to Downing, who cut inside after a dribble down the left before firing over the crossbar into the Kop choir.

But it was Klasnic who had the last word, pouncing after a superb Jamie Carragher tackle looked to have halted Petrov.


TEAMS
Liverpool Bolton Wanderers
Reina Jaaskelainen
Kelly  Steinsson
Carragher Knight
Agger Cahill
Enrique Robinson
Henderson  Eagles
Lucas Muamba
Adam  Reo-Coker
Downing Petrov
Kuyt Davies
Suarez   Klasnic
Substitutes
Doni Bogdan
Carroll Wheater
Spearing Riley
Rodriguez M Davies
Skrtel  Pratley
Robinson Tuncay
Shelvey Blake
Substitutions
M Davies for Muamba 25'
Skrtel for Kelly 29'
Tuncay for Eagles 56'
Pratley for Davies 71'
Rodriguez for Henderson 76'
Carroll for Suarez 76'
Goals
Henderson 14' Klasnic 90'
Skrtel 51'
Adam 53'
Yellow Cards
Steinsson 43'
Klasnic 48'
Red Cards
Referee
Lee Probert
Attendance
44,725

Match Stats

Liverpool Bolton
60% Possession 40%
9 Shots On 4
8 Shots Off 3
12 Corners 6
5 Fouls 7
0 Yellow 2
0 Red 0


Head to Head - Bolton Wanderers