Jan 19, 2012

Bolton vs Liverpool Match Preview

Bolton Wanderers vs Liverpool
21 January 2012
17.30 GMT
Reebok Stadium

History:
Total Appearances: 131
Liverpool Wins: 56
Bolton Wins: 43
Draws: 32

Last Premier League Meeting: 27 August 2011 – Liverpool 3-1 Bolton (Henderson, Skrtel, Adam)

Form:
Liverpool: The rollercoaster-ness of the season to date has been unbearable if you are a Liverpool fan, and that continued a week ago as the Reds battled to a disappointing 0-0 home draw with Stoke. Kenny Dalglish’s men have taken just six points from their last five games, and have taken only 11 points from a possible 15 against teams currently in the bottom five, numbers that do not bode well for the Bolton draw. They need drastic improvements if they are to return to the hallowed top-four. Liverpool currently sit in sixth, but a win could see them rise to fifth.
Bolton: Much like Liverpool, Bolton have struggled in the Premier League this season under Owen Coyle, having won just five of their 21 games and taking no more than 17 points. They have taken seven points from their last 10 games, and a possible demotion to the Championship ranks is drawing closer. Bolton currently lie in 19th, but with a win will jump out of the relegation zone and climb to 16th.

Injury News:
Liverpool: For now, the Reds are relatively fit compared to most of their rivals. Jay Spearing is questionable with a hamstring injury, while Daniel Agger is likely to return after taking a knock against Manchester City in the League Cup. Lucas remains out with his ACL tear, but is expected to be in attendance at the Reebok Stadium. Luis Suarez serves the fifth game of his eight-game suspension.
Bolton: Bolton, on the other hand, have suffered badly after numerous bites from the injury bug. Goalkeeper Jussi Jaskelainen is out with a hip injury, defender Tyrone Mears has a broken leg, key midfielders Ricardo Gardner, Stuart Holden, and Chung-Yong Lee are all out with separate ailments, and Marcos Alonso and Sean Davis are both likely to be out of action against the Reds. You can’t help but think that had Bolton been better off injury-wise, they would be better off in the league table as well.

Key Battles:
Martin Skrtel vs Ivan Klasnic: Croatian striker Ivan Klasnic is one of the more natural frontmen in the Premier League, and he has proved it this season, scoring seven goals in his 14 games. He is the man his teammates look for when they are attacking, and it is up to Skrtel to keep him at bay.
Liverpool attack vs Adam Bogdan: With Jussi Jaskelainen out injured, Hungarian Adam Bogdan has been forced to step in, and his performances have been nothing short of heroic. He is one of the more pleasant surprises of 2011/12 season, and there are whispers that top teams might soon be calling his name. He has been brilliant in net, but Manchester United showed a week ago that when the volume of shots gets too high, he is (eventually) beatable. Liverpool need to pepper Bogdan from everywhere. After all, you always miss 100 percent of the shots you don’t take (though with Bogdan that number might be even higher).

Bet365 Odds:
Home Win: 5/1
Draw: 11/4
Away Win: 8/13

Anfield Red Score Prediction: Bolton 0-1 Liverpool

2 Comments
  • criticalmind

    kenny OUT!!! its his fault that we lost today, and he is sending the blame on the players!! why can’t he accept his fault and resign like he did 20 yrs back!! His crap team selection cost us the match!! whenever carrol has played lfc looks as if one player has been redcarded and that they are playing with only 10 players on the field. Henderson and adam are two useless chicken. Whenever belamy and rodriguez has scored they were drop to the bench, their moral is already low. Bolton was thrashed by Manchester last week, they are bottom of the table and lfc which has spent 114 million pound can;t even beat them!!! Common, its clear dalgish has always been caried int the EPL by players like suarez, and last season by likes of rodriguez, meireles, kuyt, flanagan, spearing.. Bring back rafa, at least he was rotating players for us to play champions league, not to rest them two weeks before they can play. Rafa would have had spent the 100 millions wisely, not on english misfits like carroll or downing!! What has they done in today’s match, NOTHING!!!!
    DAlgish OUTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT!!!!!

    • http://www.facebook.com/scottdavies83 Scott Davies

      I personally think Henderson will be a great player. But today’s team performance was dreadful to say the least. I’m not out to blame Kenny tho. Our players played with no heart today, they didn’t look like they wanted to be there. They we’re always beaten to the ball and couldn’t tackle to save themselves. They really have to stand up and take some responsibility for their poor performances.

      Selling Meireles was a huge mistake imo as he is twice the player Adam will ever be.

      I still cannot see why we do not want to be more active this transfer window, so for how poor we’ve been playing we are still in striking distance of that top 4 finish which must be achieved.

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