The Reds destroy Bolton 2-0, Benitez & Kuyt brilian

Liverpool 2
- Kuyt 37,
- Davies, K (og) 70

Bolton Wanderers 0

Rafael Benitez's side are now unbeaten in six league games, in which they have conceded just once, and remain on course to deliver the manager's 'guarantee' of Champions League football next season.

Much of the pre-match focus had been on Juventus' interest in making Benitez their next full-time coach.His response to that speculation was to hint that the club's owners needed to match his ambitions in terms of finances for squad-building.

And with captain Steven Gerrard shackled for long periods by the man-marking job of Fabrice Muamba, the side needed inspiration from somewhere but struggled to find a cutting edge without star striker Fernando Torres, who is still several weeks away from fitness

The majority of those at Anfield desperately wanted to see their side swagger through games again and might have thought this would be the day

Liverpool eased to a 2-0 win over Bolton at Anfield to close in on Tottenham in the race for a Champions League berth. Dirk Kuyt brilliantly headed the visitors in front from Fabio Aurelio's cross after 28 minutes. It seemed then that Liverpool would once again crumble, but Kevin Davies's bad luck soon afterwards eventually secured the win and kept the hosts within a point of Tottenham in fourth

Ultimately they did triumph thanks to a close-range first-half strike from Dirk Kuyt following Alberto Aquilani's nod down and then, 20 minutes from time, an own goal from Kevin Davies. The Bolton forward was unlucky to see Emiliano Insúa's speculative drive squirm off his thigh and beyond Jussi Jaaskelainen in the visitors' goal.

Bolton's Gary Cahill had a header ruled out for a foul and Ricardo Gardner missed two good opportunities.

Liverpool had further opportunities to finish with a flourish, but Torres hit the outside of an upright and substitute Lucas headed wide when it seemed easier to score.

Their generosity in front of goal did not prove costly, as Liverpool cruised to a deserved three points.

Teams Lineups :

Liverpool: Reina, Carragher, Hyypia, Agger, Aurelio, Alonso, Mascherano, Kuyt (Leiva Lucas 84), Gerrard, Riera (Benayoun 89), Keane (Torres 59).

Bolton: Jaaskelainen, Steinsson, Cahill, Andrew O'Brien, Samuel, Taylor (Smolarek 84), Nolan, Muamba (Gardner 46), McCann, Elmander, Davies.