Round 13 of the Premier League sees pacesetters Liverpool travel to Bolton in the hope of continuing their impressive start to the season. The Anfield giants may have wobbled in recent weeks, but they will no doubt fancy themselves against their Lancashire-based opponents.
The Trotters have put together an average opening to their campaign – no more, no less. 14 points from 12 games could be considered par for the course when one considers they spent most of last term near the foot of the ladder. Interestingly, it was Sammy Lee – now Rafa Benitez’s right-hand man – who was at the helm when Bolton managed just one win in their first 11 league games of 2007-08. The former Reds winger will be hoping his presence at the Reebok triggers an instant slump in the tenants’ form.
But Gary Megson’s men are actually in reasonable touch. A 2-0 home win over Manchester City a fortnight ago was followed up with a rewarding trip to Humberside, where they dealt Hull City their third straight defeat. It was a stand-out performance from Jussi Jaaskelainen that spurred the visitors to victory at the KC Stadium, and the club have been buoyed by the Finnish goalkeeper’s declaration that he plans to stay put at least until his current contract expires.
"I am very happy," the 33-year-old said recently. "I've been here 11 years and hopefully will be for at least four more."
Megson, meanwhile, has been talking up his team’s newfound adaptability after using an unfamiliar 4-4-2 shape against Phil Brown’s Tigers.
"We have got a team that is adaptable," the Bolton boss said. "Hull's manager was on the television commenting about how we would play and go with one up front and he was wrong. We had two forwards up front and we played in an entirely different manner to the one he was describing. We can change players in positions during and before games without a huge amount of turmoil."
Regardless, one would expect Wanderers to adopt a more typical approach when Liverpool pop over for a visit this Saturday. Indeed, why alter a system that has produced fairly good results against the five-time European champs in recent seasons?
The Reds’ record at the Reebok in the Rafa era isn’t flash. Last term’s 3-1 triumph was their first win at Bolton since the Spanish tactician took the Kop job in 2004.
But this season is no ordinary one for Liverpool, who sit level on points with league leaders Chelsea amid comfortably their best start Benitez. Surprisingly, Tottenham Hotspur are the only team to have marred their campaign to date, and after being knocked out of the Carling Cup by Harry Redknapp’s side in midweek the titans of the North West will be determined to make amends.
Unlike in previous seasons, the Merseysiders have had few problems producing the goods on the road. Yes, their only defeats thus far have come at White Hart Lane, but they’ve also picked up crucial results at Stamford Bridge, Eastlands and Goodison Park after opening their account with a gritty win at Sunderland.
Perhaps of more concern to Benitez and co. is the ‘meh’ factor which comes into effect whenever they play against relatively uninteresting or unfashionable opposition. They had Papa Bouba Diop’s late seizure of stupidity to thank for their 1-0 home win over Portsmouth a few weeks ago, while they were frustrated into a goalless draw by relegation favourites Stoke City only a week after downing Manchester United.
A string of amazing comebacks – Middlesbrough, Man City, Wigan Athletic – have spiced up what could have been disastrous and/or dull outings for Liverpool, but they are yet to behave like true title contenders. Last weekend’s 3-0 win over West Bromwich Albion was a step in the right direction, and another win this Saturday would only do good for their hopes of claiming number 19 at long last.
FORM GUIDE
Bolton
Nov 08 vs. Hull City (A) WIN 1-0
Nov 02 vs. Man City (H) WIN 2-0
Oct 29 vs. Everton (H) LOSS 0-1
Oct 26 vs. Tottenham (A) LOSS 0-2
Oct 18 vs. Blackburn (H) DRAW 0-0
Liverpool
Nov 08 vs. West Brom (H) WIN 3-0
Nov 01 vs. Tottenham (A) LOSS 1-2
Oct 29 vs. Portsmouth (H) WIN 1-0
Oct 26 vs. Chelsea (A) WIN 1-0
Oct 18 vs. Wigan (H) WIN 3-2
TEAM NEWS
Bolton
The big plus for the hosts is the return of Kevin Nolan. The skipper sat out his side’s trip to Hull last weekend, but he is expected to line up in midfield after serving a one-match suspension. However, there is an outside chance the 26-year-old could be overlooked if Megson decides to stick with the same XI that secured three points on Humberside.
Johan Elmander, the Swedish forward, should start after returning from injury last weekend. Riga Mustapha, who took a heavy knock against Man City a fortnight ago, is also a chance. Portugal’s Ricardo Vaz Te, however, is a long-term absentee after undergoing knee surgery recently.
Possible XI: Jaaskelainen – Steinsson, Cahill, O’Brien, Samuel – McCann, Muamba, Nolan – Elmander, Davies, Taylor.
Liverpool
Fernando Torres looked decidedly underdone in the Reds’ midweek defeat to Tottenham. The run out, though, will have done him a world of good after three weeks out with a hamstring injury. It is unclear whether or not he will start at the Reebok, but one imagines there will be outcry from the goal-hungry Kopites if he doesn't.
Otherwise, there aren’t too many fitness issues for Rafa Benitez. Centre-half Martin Skrtel is out until Christmas at least, but Denmark’s Daniel Agger is starting to recapture the excellent form he showed before his year-long battle with a broken metatarsal.
It is unlikely that Diego Cavalieri, Andrea Dossena, Philipp Degen, Sami Hyypia, Lucas Leiva, Damien Plessis, David N’Gog or Nabil El Zhar will retain their place after the Spurs defeat, with Steven Gerrard leading the host of big names likely to return to the starting XI.
Possible XI: Reina – Arbeloa, Carragher, Agger, Aurelio – Kuyt, Alonso/Mascherano, Gerrard, Riera – Torres, Keane.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Bolton
As far as left feet go, there are few more lethal than the one on Matthew Taylor. The former Portsmouth wing-back is enjoying an extended run in the first team after an indifferent first season at the Reebok, and has impressed in a number of midfield and attacking roles this term. If Liverpool’s defence give Taylor any space at all, he could prove very dangerous.
Liverpool
Robbie Keane was rested against his former club during the week, so he will be especially eager to get back into the fold – and the goals. The Irishman finally opened his Liverpool league account with an excellent brace against West Brom last weekend, so expect the streaky scorer to threaten Jaaskelainen’s goal.
The Trotters have put together an average opening to their campaign – no more, no less. 14 points from 12 games could be considered par for the course when one considers they spent most of last term near the foot of the ladder. Interestingly, it was Sammy Lee – now Rafa Benitez’s right-hand man – who was at the helm when Bolton managed just one win in their first 11 league games of 2007-08. The former Reds winger will be hoping his presence at the Reebok triggers an instant slump in the tenants’ form.
But Gary Megson’s men are actually in reasonable touch. A 2-0 home win over Manchester City a fortnight ago was followed up with a rewarding trip to Humberside, where they dealt Hull City their third straight defeat. It was a stand-out performance from Jussi Jaaskelainen that spurred the visitors to victory at the KC Stadium, and the club have been buoyed by the Finnish goalkeeper’s declaration that he plans to stay put at least until his current contract expires.
"I am very happy," the 33-year-old said recently. "I've been here 11 years and hopefully will be for at least four more."
Megson, meanwhile, has been talking up his team’s newfound adaptability after using an unfamiliar 4-4-2 shape against Phil Brown’s Tigers.
"We have got a team that is adaptable," the Bolton boss said. "Hull's manager was on the television commenting about how we would play and go with one up front and he was wrong. We had two forwards up front and we played in an entirely different manner to the one he was describing. We can change players in positions during and before games without a huge amount of turmoil."
Regardless, one would expect Wanderers to adopt a more typical approach when Liverpool pop over for a visit this Saturday. Indeed, why alter a system that has produced fairly good results against the five-time European champs in recent seasons?
The Reds’ record at the Reebok in the Rafa era isn’t flash. Last term’s 3-1 triumph was their first win at Bolton since the Spanish tactician took the Kop job in 2004.
But this season is no ordinary one for Liverpool, who sit level on points with league leaders Chelsea amid comfortably their best start Benitez. Surprisingly, Tottenham Hotspur are the only team to have marred their campaign to date, and after being knocked out of the Carling Cup by Harry Redknapp’s side in midweek the titans of the North West will be determined to make amends.
Unlike in previous seasons, the Merseysiders have had few problems producing the goods on the road. Yes, their only defeats thus far have come at White Hart Lane, but they’ve also picked up crucial results at Stamford Bridge, Eastlands and Goodison Park after opening their account with a gritty win at Sunderland.
Perhaps of more concern to Benitez and co. is the ‘meh’ factor which comes into effect whenever they play against relatively uninteresting or unfashionable opposition. They had Papa Bouba Diop’s late seizure of stupidity to thank for their 1-0 home win over Portsmouth a few weeks ago, while they were frustrated into a goalless draw by relegation favourites Stoke City only a week after downing Manchester United.
A string of amazing comebacks – Middlesbrough, Man City, Wigan Athletic – have spiced up what could have been disastrous and/or dull outings for Liverpool, but they are yet to behave like true title contenders. Last weekend’s 3-0 win over West Bromwich Albion was a step in the right direction, and another win this Saturday would only do good for their hopes of claiming number 19 at long last.
FORM GUIDE
Bolton
Nov 08 vs. Hull City (A) WIN 1-0
Nov 02 vs. Man City (H) WIN 2-0
Oct 29 vs. Everton (H) LOSS 0-1
Oct 26 vs. Tottenham (A) LOSS 0-2
Oct 18 vs. Blackburn (H) DRAW 0-0
Liverpool
Nov 08 vs. West Brom (H) WIN 3-0
Nov 01 vs. Tottenham (A) LOSS 1-2
Oct 29 vs. Portsmouth (H) WIN 1-0
Oct 26 vs. Chelsea (A) WIN 1-0
Oct 18 vs. Wigan (H) WIN 3-2
TEAM NEWS
Bolton
The big plus for the hosts is the return of Kevin Nolan. The skipper sat out his side’s trip to Hull last weekend, but he is expected to line up in midfield after serving a one-match suspension. However, there is an outside chance the 26-year-old could be overlooked if Megson decides to stick with the same XI that secured three points on Humberside.
Johan Elmander, the Swedish forward, should start after returning from injury last weekend. Riga Mustapha, who took a heavy knock against Man City a fortnight ago, is also a chance. Portugal’s Ricardo Vaz Te, however, is a long-term absentee after undergoing knee surgery recently.
Possible XI: Jaaskelainen – Steinsson, Cahill, O’Brien, Samuel – McCann, Muamba, Nolan – Elmander, Davies, Taylor.
Liverpool
Fernando Torres looked decidedly underdone in the Reds’ midweek defeat to Tottenham. The run out, though, will have done him a world of good after three weeks out with a hamstring injury. It is unclear whether or not he will start at the Reebok, but one imagines there will be outcry from the goal-hungry Kopites if he doesn't.
Otherwise, there aren’t too many fitness issues for Rafa Benitez. Centre-half Martin Skrtel is out until Christmas at least, but Denmark’s Daniel Agger is starting to recapture the excellent form he showed before his year-long battle with a broken metatarsal.
It is unlikely that Diego Cavalieri, Andrea Dossena, Philipp Degen, Sami Hyypia, Lucas Leiva, Damien Plessis, David N’Gog or Nabil El Zhar will retain their place after the Spurs defeat, with Steven Gerrard leading the host of big names likely to return to the starting XI.
Possible XI: Reina – Arbeloa, Carragher, Agger, Aurelio – Kuyt, Alonso/Mascherano, Gerrard, Riera – Torres, Keane.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Bolton
As far as left feet go, there are few more lethal than the one on Matthew Taylor. The former Portsmouth wing-back is enjoying an extended run in the first team after an indifferent first season at the Reebok, and has impressed in a number of midfield and attacking roles this term. If Liverpool’s defence give Taylor any space at all, he could prove very dangerous.
Liverpool
Robbie Keane was rested against his former club during the week, so he will be especially eager to get back into the fold – and the goals. The Irishman finally opened his Liverpool league account with an excellent brace against West Brom last weekend, so expect the streaky scorer to threaten Jaaskelainen’s goal.
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