Filed under: Bolton, Liverpool, Premier League, Football, Match Reports
Kenny Dalglish's expensively-assembled Liverpool side swept to the top of the Premier League table after an easy win over Bolton.Jordan Henderson opened the scoring in the 14th minute - his first goal since completing a £16m move from Sunderland in the summer.
And two goals in the space of a minute in the second half by Martin Skrtel and Charlie Adam, who also notched his first league goal in Liverpool colours in front of the Kop, sealed the points.
THE GOALS
14mins: Talk about making a statement. Henderson's hefty £16 million price tag has left him open to criticism but he repays a slice of that fee with a superb finish from 16-yards. (1-0)
51mins: Substitute Skrtel, a first-half replacement for the injured Martin Kelly, outjumps Zat Knight to power Adam's corner into the back of the net. (2-0)
52mins: Adam finds the back of the net from 20-yards and beats the diving hands of Jussi Jaaskelainen. Liverpool are home and dry. (3-0)
90mins: Ivan Klasnic reduces the deficit in the dying moments from close range. (3-1)
OTHER HIGHLIGHTS
14mins: Jaaskelainen proves he is still one of the best keepers in the top tier with a stunning one-handed save to keep out Stewart Downing's volley following great work by Suarez.
17mins: Bolton's response is both swift and impressive as Martin Petrov's volley tests Pepe Reina in front of the Kop.
23mins: Suarez springs the off-side trap to race clear. Liverpool look certain to go 2-0 ahead but Suarez's chip from the edge of the area lands on the roof of the net.
42mins: Liverpool feel they have been denied after referee Lee Probert fails to punish Gretar Steinsson's handball with a penalty. Replays showed he got it right with the offence inches outside the area.
REACTION:
Dalglish refused to get carried away with a victory that put his side on top of the table:
"It's early days but it's better than being bottom of the table. It's a well deserved win. I think we were fantastic."
On Henderson's first goal for the club:
"It's always an important statement when you score your first goal at a new club. It will certainly not do him any harm. If anything, it will give him confidence."
On how well his new players have gelled:
"It doesn't surprise me. This club is a friendly place and a fantastic place to play. We've got a really good squad and that's very important."
On the imminent arrival of Uruguay defender Sebastian Coates, who was at Anfield to watch the game:
"When we have something to say then we'll tell everyone at the same time."
Bolton manager Owen Coyle admitted defender Gary Cahill, who is wanted by Arsenal, produced a below-par performance:
"I don't think Gary performed to his maximum. It is only natural that his head could have been turned by the endless transfer speculation, and it has been endless. He's an outstanding player. If Gary goes then I am going to have to replace him."
On his team's performance:
"I thought we started slowly. It was an exquisite finish by Henderson and at that point I thought it might act as a wake up call. From that point on we gave as good as we got but we shot outselves in the foot at the start of the second half. They were two soft goals to concede. Charlie Adam's goal was a comedy of errors as far as we were concerned.
"At that point you could see why Liverpool have spent over £100 million since January. When you come to Anfield you need everyone to be at their best. We'll lick our wounds and get ready to go again."
WHAT IT MEANS:
There are 35 more hurdles to clear, but it is a case of so far so good for Dalglish and Liverpool. Yet there is still much work to be done and Dalglish will not get carried away with his team's position at the summit. Uruguay defender Coates, who watched this game, is expected to complete a £7 million move from Nacional before next week's transfer deadline while Craig Bellamy could also be back at the club by the time Liverpool next play. This was Bolton's second straight league defeat. But unlike last week's battling 3-2 setback against Manchester City, Coyle's side deserved absolutely nothing from what could be Cahill's final game for the club.
LIVERPOOL 3 (Henderson 14, Skrtel 51, Adam 52) BOLTON 1 (Klasnic 90)
PLAYER MARKING:
Liverpool (4-4-2): Reina 7; Kelly 6 (Skrtel 29, ), Carragher 7, Agger 7, Enrique 7; Henderson 9 (Rodriguez 76, 6), Adam 8, Lucas 8, Downing 8; Kuyt 7, Suarez 8 (Carroll 76, 6).
Subs (not used): Doni, Spearing, Shelvey, Robinson.
Bolton (4-4-2): Jaaskelainen 6; Steinsson 6, Cahill 6, Knight 5, Robinson 5; Eagles 6 (Tuncay 56, 5), Muamba 6 (M Davies 25, 6), Reo-Coker 6, Petrov 6; K Davies 6 (Pratley 70, 5), Klasnic 6.
Subs (not used): Bogdan, Blake, Wheater, Riley.
ATTENDANCE: 44,725
REFEREE: Lee Probert
Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
Source: http://www.fanhouse.co.uk/2011/08/27/liverpool-3-bolton-1-kenny-dalglishs-reds-top-after-easy-win/
No comments:
Post a Comment