Vital Report: Liverpool 3-1 Bolton

A splendid Liverpool display produced a dominant victory that in truth should have fashioned an even more emphatic score line.

The new found feeling of optimism and excitement which resounds around Anfield these days gathered additional pace as Liverpool served up perhaps their best performance since Kenny Dalglish`s return as manager.

Following on from last week`s impressive victory at Arsenal and the midweek defeat of Exeter City in the League Cup by the same margin, the result and performance further enhances the Reds impressive start to the new season.

One of Liverpool`s numerous new signings Jordan Henderson opened the scoring after 14 minutes with a fantastic curling effort from the edge of the area with his weaker left foot. Despite the great start though, the home side initially failed to build on the lead and were guilty of some sloppy misplaced passes which actually kept Bolton in the game up until half-time.

The match as a contest after the break was short lived however as Martin Skrtel (on as an early replacement for the injured Martin Kelly) increased the lead 6 minutes into the second half. The goal coming as the result of a commanding header by the Slovakian defender converting a pinpoint Charlie Adam corner.

The score quickly became 3-0 less than 2 minutes later when Adam, who was impressive throughout, changed from provider to goal scorer. Picking up a Dirk Kuyt pass the Scot cut onto his right side and using Zat Knight as a shield hit a low drive that skidded past Jussi Jaaskelainen into the bottom left-hand corner of the goal. Like Henderson`s earlier effort, the goal opened Adam`s account for his new club and the delight was etched all over his face as he celebrated in front of a joyous Kop.

At this stage Liverpool were in complete command and numerous chances to add to the three goals came and went. Stewart Downing, Daniel Agger and Dirk Kuyt all went close in quick succession whilst referee Lee Probert turned down at least two good penalty claims. The Gloucestershire whistle blower also managed to get himself in the way of Liverpool passes on a couple of occasions, much to the irk of the home fans who sensed the Trotters were open for a heavy beating.

Ultimately the fourth goal never arrived however and as the game entered injury time it was in fact Bolton who completed the scoring. An uncharacteristic missed clearance from Jamie Carragher let Martin Petrov through on goal and despite the Liverpool captain recovering to toe-poke the ball away from the Bulgarian it fell kindly to Ivan Klasnic who slotted home from close range.

Verdict
A fantastic performance all-round but it could and probably should have been rewarded with an even larger margin of victory. The moment the second goal went in Liverpool dominated the game and a 5 or 6-0 win would not have been flattering. It`s a mark of how far things have come under Kenny Dalglish that a lot of fans at full time were busy criticising the referee`s shoddy performance as opposed to eulogising about a great team showing. Bolton are a decent team after all and had enjoyed a good start to the season before this game. 17 shots, 12 corners and 60% possession is about has dominant as it gets in the Premier League. Suarez was once again at the heart of everything and his tenacity and tireless work-rate allied to the obvious skill has endeared him to the Anfield public to the point that his name was being sung even more than that of his illustrious manager. The only real disappointment from the game was the sloppiness of the late Bolton goal, which denied a clean sheet. It`s also a big shame we now have to endure an International break before the next league game away at Stoke.

Liverpool line-up: Reina, Kelly (Skrtel 30 mins), Enrique, Agger, Carragher, Lucas, Adam, Henderson (Maxi 76 mins), Downing, Suarez (Carroll 76 mins), Kuyt.

Unused subs: Doni, Robinson, Shelvey, Spearing.