VS
Premier League
Liverpool (5th 27/39pts) v Bolton (15th 11/42pts)
Sunday 2nd December, kick-off: 15.00 (BST)
Anfield, Liverpool
Rafael Benitez has praised the work done by former Bolton manager Sammy Lee, who was axed in October to make way for Gary Megson. The Liverpool boss comes face to face with Megson's team and accepts that the Trotters' victory over champions Manchester United last weekend has made the Anfield club's task even harder.
Benitez acknowledges the revival Megson has overseen, claiming that Bolton `fought like lions' for their win over United. But the Spaniard also insists that former Liverpool coach Lee was a good manager at the Reebok Stadium and suffered from bad luck before he was sacked.
Benitez will select from an unchanged squad against Bolton and hopes that defender Daniel Agger will be back in action soon.The Danish youngster suffered a recurrence of a metatarsal injury earlier this month which delayed his comeback having been out since September. But Benitez has revealed that Agger is trying out a special new boot that Liverpool hope will speed up his recovery.
Benitez is still without Xabi Alonso and Jermaine Pennant, both long-term injuries, but will select from the squad that beat Porto 4-1 in midweek.
Meanwhile, Bolton goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen believes the club are heading in the right direction because they have gone back to basics. Jaaskelainen is aiming for a third clean sheet in the Premier League when they face Liverpool.
Benitez's side have been scoring goals for fun recently but the victory against Manchester United at the weekend was just the boost Bolton wanted as it took them out of the relegation zone. Boss Megson has to make at least three changes from the team which drew with Aris in the UEFA Cup.
Liverpool Probable Starting X1: Reina, Finnan, Carragher, Hyypia, Riise, Kewell, Lucas, Mascherano, Gerrard, Torres, Kuyt.
Bolton Probable Starting XI: Jaaskelainen, O’Brien, Joey O’Brien, Meite, Cid, McCann, Campo, Giannakopulos, Anelka, Diouf, Davies.
Game Ended 4-0 to Liverpool:
Great chance for Liverpool missed by Crouch HERE
First goal for Liverpool by Hypia HERE
Anelka misses in front of empty goal HERE
2nd goal for Liverpool by Torres HERE
Penalty for Liverpool and third goal by Gerrard HERE
Fourth goal for Liverpool by Babel HERE