Match Preview: Bolton Wanderers vs. LiverpooL

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.

Megson Tips Liverpool For Title

Bolton manager Gary Megson believes Liverpool are "genuine contenders" for this season's Premier League title.

Rafa Benitez brings his Liverpool side to the Reebok Stadium for Saturday's early kick-off, and Megson has backed his opponents to win the league.

"They seem settled and they are flying," said Megson.

"They expect to be in the Champions League and picking up league titles and they are well capable of building on their great start this year."

Liverpool last won the title in 1990 under the stewardship of Kenny Dalglish but they are currently second in the Premier League table, level on points with leaders Chelsea.

And Megson believes that it is important for Benitez's team to win the league.

"They've had top-class players for the last 40 to 50 years and they've got great expectations," he said.

"It seems incredible that it's been 18 years since they won the league.

"Yes, they've won plenty of cups during that time but, ultimately, you are judged on Premier League titles.

"But what has happened this year is that they have got off to a good start."

Megson will be buoyed by the return of boyhood Liverpool fan Kevin Nolan from suspension, but Liverpool are set to bring a number of seasoned internationals back into the side.

Jose Reina, Jamie Carragher, Javier Mascherano, Steven Gerrard, Dirk Kuyt, Robbie Keane and Xabi Alonso are all expected to return following Wednesday's Carling Cup 4-2 defeat to Spurs, and Megson is wary of the talent at Benitez's disposal.

"They've got some world-class players, backed up by some real class players, but the thing that they've all got is a really high work ethic.

"They are organised, they're a problem from set-pieces and all those things that the smaller clubs are supposed to be good at, Liverpool do it as well as everyone else and, in most cases, better.

"Allied to the talent they've got, it's a real difficult task to beat them, as it's proved for everyone else."

Babel Confident Of Title Prospects

Liverpool forward Ryan Babel claims that the club's Premier League wins over Manchester United and Chelsea prove that the Merseysiders are ready for a title challenge.

Liverpool sit second in the Premier League a third of the way through the calendar, but trail Chelsea only by virtue of goal-difference.

The Merseysiders' early season form has been strong, and blips against Tottenham Hotspur and Stoke City have been offset by wins against Manchester United and Chelsea.

The Reds have claimed their first Premier League win over either side in the Rafa Benitez era this season, and this demonstrates the club's title credentials, according to Ryan Babel.

The Ajax-schooled frontman, who scored the winner against the Red Devils, believes that the race for the top-flight title will go to the wire this season, and that results against fellow championship contenders will make the ultimate difference.

He told the press: "At the end of the season I think the difference will be the games we play against the top sides," said Babel.

"We have already beaten Manchester United and Chelsea so hopefully we can take points from Arsenal as well now.

"But we try not to look at the others and focus on ourselves. It's clear that these next few months will be very important. We have a lot of games to play but it's very important to keep everybody fit and try to win most of the games we play."

Torres Told There Is No Guarantee Of Liverpool Place

Fernando Torres could be a surprise casualty from the fall-out of Liverpool's Carling Cup exit after the manager, Rafael Benítez, warned that no player is guaranteed a starting place in his title-chasing side.

Torres started his first game after five weeks' absence with a hamstring injury at White Hart Lane, but the Spanish striker looked a shadow of the player who scored 36 goals for club and country last season.

Benítez believes the 24-year-old is still "two or three weeks" from returning to peak form, and the Liverpool manager could decide to demote him to the bench at Bolton today. "The team is doing very well so Torres has to compete for his position," said Benítez. "Clearly he is not 100% fit in terms of sharpness. He is a fantastic player, but we have [Robbie] Keane and [Dirk] Kuyt playing well, so he has to compete. I was disappointed after the Carling Cup because we lost the game and didn't perform well. I think some of the senior players have to take some of the responsibility. Torres is clever and he knows he can't rest on his laurels."

The prospect of Torres, one of five Liverpool players named yesterday in Spain's squad to face Chile on Wednesday, being dropped seemed unthinkable not long ago, although he picked up his last injury in training with the national squad and Benítez may feel he needs easing back.

Liverpool will go three points clear of Chelsea, if only for a few hours, if they defeat Bolton in the lunchtime start. Jamie Carragher is set to start at right-back in place of the suspended Alvaro Arbeloa, with Sami Hyypia partnering Daniel Agger in the centre of defence.

Benítez, meanwhile, has confirmed that contract negotiations have started. "My advisers are working on this," he said. "I want to concentrate on football, but for me it has to be done quickly because I don't want to be talking every press conference about this."

Liverpool midfielder Jermaine Pennant Could Leave Anfield On Free Transfer In Summer

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez's decision to freeze out Jermaine Pennant could see the midfielder walk away on a free transfer.

Pennant will become a free agent in the summer unless he makes an estimated 15 first-team appearances this season.

Benitez signalled his intent to offload the midfielder in January by dropping him from the 18-man squad for their Carling Cup tie against Spurs in midweek.

But his decision to overlook the 25-year-old for the trip to White Hart Lane, when he opted to field many fringe players, could see the club lose out on the chance to recoup even a slice of the £6.7 million fee Liverpool paid Birmingham to sign the former England Under-21 international two years ago.

Pennant signed a three-year contract on his arrival with a one-year option but it appears that he may have played his last game for the club.

The 25-year-old has only made four appearances this season but the Carling Cup allowed Benitez the chance to increase that tally, a decision Benitez opted against.

Even if rival Premier League clubs came in for him during the transfer window, Pennant could decide to bide his time on the sidelines and leave Anfield for nothing next summer.

Pennant has failed to hold down a regular starting berth since arriving on Merseyside and came close to leaving for Stoke before the new season.

Stoke met Liverpool's £5m asking price but were unable to agree personal terms with the former Arsenal midfielder.

Blackburn have also been keeping a close eye on Pennant's availability but may hold off launching a bid in January with the possibility of signing him on a free four months later.

Benitez: Don't Compare Us With Arsenal

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has defended his decision to use fringe first-teamers in the Carling Cup rather than adopt Arsenal's tactics of putting out a team of youngsters.

None of the players who lined up in red for the start of Liverpool's Carling Cup defeat to Tottenham Hotspur were products of the club's academy. This is a direct contrast to their title rivals Arsenal, who use the competition as a means of blooding youngsters.

Liverpool-born Stephen Darby did make a substitute appearance late on, but this almost seems like a token gesture on the part of the Liverpool boss, who is nevertheless expected to name Darby in his squad for this weekend's game at Bolton Wanderers, as Alvaro Arbeloa is suspended and Philipp Degen injured.

The Liverpool team at Spurs consisted mainly of more experienced players in need of a game, but Benitez justified his choice and insisted that there are young, English players coming through at Anfield - they're just not quite ready yet.

“Our young players will need more time," said the Spaniard.

"I decided to use the other members of the squad rather than very young players, mainly because the seniors needed to play matches.

“I have to think about having senior men ready to play in the Premier League as the season progresses. I was also concerned that we were playing against a Spurs side who have been doing very well, maybe it was not the game for teenagers.

“We used senior squad players and they did not play well. Fernando Torres played 55 minutes and did not play well, if the big names do not perform then you cannot blame the young players.

“We have good young players, the future for the club is brilliant. We have good, young, local players and they are working well.”

Benitez was annoyed when his policy was directly compared with that of Arsenal, whose youngsters swept Wigan Athletic out of the competition.

“Do not compare us with Arsenal,” he said.

“They have been paying big, big money for young players for all the time that Arsene Wenger has been there.

“It is not about the age of players, it is about quality. Sometimes you have to pay big money for the best young players around, and that is what Arsenal have done.

“But Arsenal were being criticised only recently for using too many inexperienced youngsters. Then they beat Manchester United and Wigan and everyone says they are fantastic.

“It is important to be calm, look to the long term, and see the bigger picture.”

It will be interesting to see whether any young local players do emerge at Anfield. The city of Liverpool is rich with football tradition and fans love local-born legends like Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher.

And, as Benitez himself said, “If you had to choose between local players or foreign players of the same ability, that is easy, you would go with the local boys because they have more passion."

Rafa Benitez: Why I'm Backing Liverpool's Youth Players

Rafael Benitez has defended his decision not to use academy youngsters in the midweek Carling Cup loss to Tottenham and has lined up local boy Stephen Darby for his Barclays Premier League debut this weekend.

The Liverpool boss fielded a raft of overseas fringe players for Wednesday’s 4-2 loss at White Hart Lane, meaning there was no space in the starting XI for any of the club’s youth system players.

Liverpool-born Darby did at least make an appearance from the bench against Spurs, and the 20-year-old right-back is now in line to make his league bow at Bolton tomorrow with Alvaro Arbeloa suspended and Philipp Degen sidelined with a fractured metatarsal that could keep him out for two months.

Darby’s likely inclusion in the Reds’ line-up will be a timely riposte to those who have criticised Benitez for not nurturing young, English talent, and the Spaniard insists academy players have a future at Anfield.

Benitez said: “Our young players will need more time. I decided to use the other members of the squad rather than very young players, mainly because the seniors needed to play matches.

“I have to think about having senior men ready to play in the Premier League as the season progresses. I was also concerned that we were playing against a Spurs side who have been doing very well, maybe it was not the game for teenagers.

“We used senior squad players and they did not play well. Fernando Torres played 55 minutes and did not play well, if the big names do not perform then you cannot blame the young players.

“We have good young players, the future for the club is brilliant. We have good, young, local players and they are working well.”

Benitez bridled at suggestions his tactics were in contrast to those of Arsenal, whose team of academy products swept aside Wigan in the same competition on Tuesday.

“Do not compare us with Arsenal,” he said.

“They have been paying big, big money for young players for all the time that Arsene Wenger has been there.

“It is not about the age of players, it is about quality. Sometimes you have to pay big money for the best young players around, and that is what Arsenal have done.

“But Arsenal were being criticised only recently for using too many inexperienced youngsters. Then they beat Manchester United and Wigan and everyone says they are fantastic.

“It is important to be calm, look to the long term, and see the bigger picture.”

Benitez added: “If you had to choose between local players or foreign players of the same ability, that is easy, you would go with the local boys because they have more passion.

“You have to talk about quality first. I would be really pleased with five Carraghers and five Gerrards, that would be wonderful.

“But Arsenal have been working for 12 years or more bringing in young foreign players. Everyone was criticising them, and now because they have two or three good English players coming through, the attitude has changed.

“But for 12 years or so they have been bringing in foreign players. Why? Because it is a question of quality. I understand that. My view is that the academy system is not producing enough good players all around the country. That is a fact.”

Benitez - who was today named Barclays Manager of the Month for October - will have all his big-name stars back at the Reebok.

Jose Reina, Jamie Carragher, Steven Gerrard, Xabi Alonso, Javier Mascherano, Dirk Kuyt, Robbie Keane and Albert Riera will all feature in the squad.

Benitez added that using Darby in his starting XI this weekend should not be viewed as a gamble.

“Darby is a fantastic young player, a good boy, he has been working very, very hard ever since I have known him,” he said.

“Using him at Bolton is not a gamble.

“We have had Darby training well this week. We have worked on a few things he needed to improve, but I could not have asked for more from him. We have a choice between using Stephen or switching Carragher to right-back.”

Liverpool have managed just one win from their last five visits to Bolton, and Benitez is aware that it is match that must be won if the Reds are to keep pace with Chelsea at the Premier League’s summit.

“These games are the most dangerous,” he said.

“Against the top sides it is easy to be motivated, but it is in such matches as this that you win and lose titles.

“It is more physical and you have to show character. If you can do this then you can stay up at the top of the table.”

Rafa Benitez Gets Manager Of The Month Award

Frank Lampard and Rafael Benitez have been named the Barclays Premier League player and manager of the month for October.

It is the third time Lampard has been voted the top flight’s best performer - coming exactly three years after the last time - and is just reward for a month in which he scored twice and helped Chelsea secure three league wins out of four.

The highlight of a productive October was the England star’s sublime chip which put the Blues on their way to a 3-0 victory at Hull, and he now stands just behind the leading group of six players - including Steven Gerrard and Wayne Rooney - who have won the monthly accolade on four occasions.

The only blemish on Chelsea’s record in October came with a 1-0 home defeat by Liverpool, whose manager Benitez led the Merseysiders to a perfect four wins out of four.

Manchester City and Wigan were also beaten by the Reds after thrilling comebacks, while Portsmouth were edged out at Anfield.

Benitez has now won the award on four occasions, putting him seventh on the all-time list.

Chelsea striker Nicolas Anelka has, meanwhile, been awarded the Barclays Golden Boot for becoming the first player to score 10 goals in the top flight this season.

Rafael Benitez Begins Preliminary Talks Over New Liverpool Contract

Rafael Benitez has begun preliminary talks over a new contract. The Liverpool manager says his advisors will be handing the negotiations because he is determined not to allow the issue to distract him from the club's title challenge.

After an impressive start to the season, the Spaniard is now in a sufficiently powerful position to have been able to force contract discussions on to the club's agenda. Previously Tom Hicks, the American co-owner, had alluded to a one-year extension to Benitez’s existing £2.6 million-a-year deal, which expires in June 2010, but George Gillett, having taken their fallouts more personally, had been opposed to the idea.

However, with disagreements between Benitez and the owners now resolved the manager is delighted that talks have begun. "I want to clarify the situation over my new contract," he said. "My advisor has had contact with the club's owners, and they will have a meeting in the future, hopefully next week.

"But I want to make it clear that no details were discussed. Not the length of the contract, nor money or any conditions. None of those things were discussed. There has been contact and now things will start progressing.

"And in the future my agent will be talking about this with the club and I will concentrate on football, because I do not want to be talking about things every week that can distract the players. They will talk next week and hopefully there will be progress, but I do not want to be involved in those talks."