Liverpool's bid for a coveted top four finish in this season's Premiership was given a major boost this afternoon when they chalked up their first home win in the league since November.
Goals either side of half-time from El Hadji Diouf and Michael Owen were enough to secure maximum points for the Reds and take them within three points of fourth-placed Everton in the table.
After the heady heights of last weekend's unforgettable Worthington Cup triumph the bread and butter of the Premiership took some adjusting to for the majority of Liverpool players.
A lucrative place back among the elite of Europe in next season's Champions League, is now the main aim of Gerard Houllier and his team and it was imperative they obtained maximum points against a relegation threatened Bolton.
The Reds boss was forced to make two changes to the side that began in Cardiff but he sprung a surprise in opting for Vladimir Smicer, and not Milan Baros, as a replacement for the injured Emile Heskey. Djimi Traore also came back into the starting eleven at the expense of the unfortunate Stephane Henchoz.
Bolton, who dented Liverpool's title aspirations with a 1-1 draw here last season, were equally desperate for the points as they attempt to stave off the threat of relegation and it was they who seemed more up for it during an uneventful opening.
Following the euphoria of victory over United this rearranged fixture had an anti-climatic feel about it - a fact that was probably not helped by Liverpool's failure to muster a single shot on goal during the first 30 minutes.
With Michael Owen operating as a lone striker Trotters keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen was enjoying a quiet afternoon until Liverpool finally come to life as the interval approached.
Skipper Sami Hyypia spurned a glorious opportunity when, unopposed, he headed wide from point-blank range and Jaaskelainen then had to pull off a fine double save to deny Owen and Smicer.
As the fans began queuing for their half-time refreshments Liverpool took the lead. Owen beat two defenders on the by-line and centred for Diouf who had the easy job of nodding the ball home in front of the Kop for his sixth goal of the campaign.
It was a goal that knocked the heart out of thee struggling visitors and Liverpool sealed the points in the 67th minute when Diouf returned the compliment.
The Senegal star battled his way to the by-line before dragging the ball back to Owen, who did the rest. From a position inside the six-yard box he made no mistake with a side-footed finish to register his fourth goal in as many games.
It may not have been the most thrilling of games but, having endured such a miserable run of league form at Anfield in recent months, there'll be no complaints about this victory.
The top four is is sight and it's going to be an exciting climax to the season.
Teams
Liverpool: Dudek, Carragher, Riise, Hyypia, Traore, Hamann, Gerrard, Murphy, Smicer, Diouf, Owen.
Bolton Wanderers: Jaaskelainen, Mendy, Bergsson, N'Gotty, Okocha, Gardner, Djorkaeff, Campo, Laville, Ballesta, Charlton.
Referee: Graham Barber
Attendance: 41,462
Conditions: Wet
Liverpoolfc.tv Man-of-the-match: Djimi Traore
Match Report courtesy of Liverpool FC's Official Website
Subs - Arphexad, Baros, Diao, Biscan, Cheyrou.
Subs - Poole, Frandsen, Nolan, Andre, Barness.
