Team news

Liverpool preview
Defenders Fabio Aurelio and Philipp Degen will both miss the Barclays Premier League clash at home to Bolton.

Aurelio has missed the last two matches with a minor knock while Degen (calf) did not play in the midweek goalless draw with Wolves.

However, centre-back Daniel Agger returns to the squad after regaining fitness while captain Steven Gerrard has reported no after-effects from Tuesday night when he made his comeback after a hamstring problem.

A goalless draw against Wolves in midweek meant they fell three points behind fourth-placed Tottenham but Benitez agreed with captain Gerrard after the Wolves game when he said the side are heading in the right direction.

"All I can do is prepare my team properly, to analyse things and try to find solutions to the problems we have," said the Liverpool boss.

"Now we are not losing games and doing a little bit better we have to try to do the same.

"The players know we are improving. Like Stevie said before, maybe we have turned the corner."

Bolton preview
Bolton manager Owen Coyle could be tempted to name an unchanged side.

On-loan winger Vladimir Weiss may have to settle for a place on the bench while another new recruit Stuart Holden has a slight thigh strain.

Mark Davies remains absent with an ankle injury as Bolton look to build on the win against Burnley.

Since Coyle switched clubs, Bolton have chalked up successive victories against his former side Burnley and Sheffield United after two defeats by Arsenal.

He believes his team will face Liverpool, who had to settle for a point against Wolves, with confidence especially after two clean sheets.

Coyle said: "We need to repeat our performances in the last two games. It is match to look forward to.

"My team will be going toe to toe with some of the best players in world football but have a chance to show they can play a bit as well.

"I have been delighted with the quality and application of the players. What we have to do is add to it.

"You do not come in with a magic wand. You come in with a recipe for hard work. There are areas we can work on to make us better as a group.

"We have managed to move out of the bottom three but only just. We are not kidding ourselves.

Liverpool vs Bolton

Last modified 20:31 30/01/10

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Rafael may wish to carry on flirting with Italy’s Old Lady just in case.

A routine win maintained Liverpool’s pursuit of the fourth Champions League place, but Benitez is conscious his team requires reinforcements to make a greater impact next season.

If a very public courtship of Juventus helps his cause, then evidently he is prepared to take that course.

But as Liverpool’s co-owner Tom Hicks watched from the stands, Benitez was intent on making a point closer to home – and his timing could scarcely have been better.

The Spaniard’s side toiled for much of the first half and might have trailed before the relentless Dirk Kuyt gave them the breakthrough and an own goal by Kevin Davies settled the issue.

Benitez said: “I am pleased with the result and the second half, but not too much with the first half – but at the end of the day we needed to win and we won.

“We are unbeaten in six games and have another clean sheet, so that is good.”

It could have been different had Chung-Yong Lee taken a self-created chance, but by the end Bolton were convincingly – and comfortably – defeated.

Bolton boss Owen Coyle said: “I felt in the first half in particular, we had some very good opportunities to get in front, but never took them.

“I felt very comfortable in the game at 0-0, but with the some of the quality players Liverpool have they can hit you at any given moment.”

Tamir Cohen almost gave Bolton the lead in the third minute when he ran in behind Jamie Carragher to feed off Matt Taylor’s flick-on, only to lose control of the ball and allow Pepe Reina to gather.

Gerrard took it upon himself to switch roles after 20 minutes of futile endeavour and almost penetrated Bolton’s defence as he collected Kuyt’s pass. Kuyt arrived just too late in the heart of the Bolton area to capitalise on Albert Riera’s whipped cross from the left.

Bolton resisted the mini- storm and might have gone ahead with a stunning solo goal midway through the first half.

Lee went past three Liverpool players in an audacious slalom from the halfway line, but dragged the ball a little too wide to round Reina and Sotirios Kyrgiakos blocked his shot on the line.

Coyle doubtless sensed that could prove a pivotal moment in the contest and his anxiety was compounded when Liverpool took the lead.

They played the ball from right to left, giving Emiliano Insua the opportunity to centre. Alberto Aquilani rose high to head back into the mix and Kuyt pounced.

Bolton’s response was bold and threatening enough to cause alarm in the Liverpool defence. Reina and Carragher made hurried clearances and Lee took a tumble under the attention of Aquilani.

The winger looked up in hope of a penalty. Instead, referee Steve Bennett brandished the yellow card for what he considered a dive. Gerrard broke early in the second half with Bolton’s defence stretched, but Mark Davies recovered to bar his path.

It took an instinctive save by Jussi Jaaskelainen to deny Gerrard from Riera’s cross and Ngog could only strike the angle of bar and post from the rebound.

Gerrard flexed his muscles again, unleashing a fierce drive that Jaaskelainen was relieved to beat away.

With the match still in the balance, Benitez brought on Lucas for Aquilani, much to the dismay of the Italian.

Benitez was happy enough, however, when his side managed to claim a fortunate second goal.

Insua’s wayward shot took a crucial deflection off Kevin Davies and ended up in the back of the net.

Lucas went close to adding a third from Gerrard’s free-kick, but that would have flattered Liverpool who are grateful to still be in the hunt for a Champions League place.