Monday, November 17, 2008

Dirk Kuyt And Steven Gerrard Boost Liverpool's Title Credentials At Bolton

There is increasing confidence and consistency about Liverpool to suggest that after this 2-0 win, a first Premier League title is finally within their grasp.

A visit to the Reebok to face a Bolton team buoyed by successive victories over Manchester City and at Hull might previously have been viewed with some trepidation; on Saturday lunchtime, goals in each half from Dirk Kuyt and Steven Gerrard provided further evidence that Anfield's long wait to rule English footbal – they last won the former First Division championship in 1990 – could soon be over.

If there remains a failing requiring radical adjustment it is the need to kill off opponents far more readily than Bolton were dispatched in a game where a plethora of opportunities were all too carelessly abandoned. Robbie Keane, before he was replaced by Fernando Torres, and Gerrard himself proved particularly wasteful before the Liverpool captain delivered the all-important second goal that made the points secure.

Leading by Kuyt's sterling header from the cross on the left by Fabio Aurelio following a scintillating 20-pass move, Liverpool were always vulnerable to a Bolton side whose change of personnel and tactics for the second half enabled them to create their own gilt-edged openings, the best of which were squandered by Ricardo Gardner.

Gardner was the second-half substitute for Fabrice Muamba whose earlier shadowing of Gerrard had reduced his effectiveness for much of the opening 45 minutes. While Muamba's departure released Gerrard, Gardner offered a more meaningful attacking option.

Yet he lost his footing when provided with Bolton's clearest opening shortly after the break and blazed over when put clear six minutes from time although by then Liverpool had doubled their advantage.

However, Liverpool's goal front failings-Torres was equally guilty of wastefulness while Kuyt also struck the framework-could prove of greater significance in that this was a lost opportunity to bite into the huge goal difference that enables Chelsea to lead the table.

"It's a pity we didn't score more," said manager Rafa Benitez, who stressed: "I have said we have room for improvement. Steven Gerrard wasn't playing at his level, others were not at their best and Torres wasn't fully fit. Now, if Torres stays fit and keeps his momentum, Mascherano is improving and so is Stevie so we have many more options.

"This season we can sometimes win games when we are playing badly, but the atmosphere and mood is good and confidence is high. You can see players doing better because they know other teams are thinking 'we've got to be careful, we're playing Liverpool and they are top of the table.' Now it is important to stay there, but obviously we have better players now. The squad is so much stronger; the ones on the pitch are good, but now also the ones who are on the bench."

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