02 December 2007

BBC Preview LFC vs Bolton Wanderer

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has named an unchanged squad for Bolton's visit.

Benitez is still without Xabi Alonso and Jermaine Pennant, both long-term injuries and selects from the men that beat Porto in the Champions League.
Bolton manager Gary Megson is forced into making three changes to his line-up for the trip to Anfield.
Kevin Nolan and Nicky Hunt are banned, and Liverpool loanee Danny Guthrie cannot play but Gavin McCann should be ok despite a head wound against Aris.

Liverpool (from): Reina, Arbeloa, Finnan, Carragher, Hyypia, Riise, Kewell, Gerrard, Mascherano, Lucas, Sissoko, Aurelio, Benayoun, Babel, Voronin, Crouch, Torres, Kuyt, Itandje.
Bolton (from): Jaaskelainen, A O'Brien, Meite, Cid, Gardner, Campo, Giannakopoulos, McCann, Alonso, Speed, Teymourian, Wilhelmsson, Davies, Anelka, Diouf, Samuel, Al Habsi, Michalik, Braaten.
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Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez:"Last season we won 3-0 just after Christmas time when they were tired but it will be difficult this time because physically they will be fit and fresh.
"They scored early against Manchester United so they had confidence and United were fighting against 11 lions.
"The difference is not so big between the teams in the Premier League and in one game, 11 against 11, anything can happen. You have to be careful from beginning to end."

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Bolton boss Gary Megson:"These are games we look forward to, great games, big crowds all the players are desperate to do well.
"Going to Liverpool has always been a tough task and that's not changed and the form they are in is exceptional.
"It's one of the best grounds that anybody can play at. Liverpool have a great team and everything going for them but you go in a positive frame of mind, looking to win."


BIG-MATCH FACTS
Bolton go to Anfield looking to follow last Saturday's shock victory over Manchester United with another against Liverpool, and thus end the Reds' unbeaten league record.
The Trotters are looking to complete back-to-back wins for the first time in 20 Premier League outings, which would also take their all-time total of wins in this league to 100.
Liverpool have won seven league games; Bolton have lost seven.
Both clubs were successful in Europe midweek, but both need victories from their final group matches to qualify to the knock out stages of their respective competitions.
The Merseysiders have not lost a league game in nearly seven months, and boast the tightest defence in the highest league.
Liverpool are protecting an unbeaten home Premier League record against Bolton, of seven wins and one draw.
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CLUB FORM :


LIVERPOOL
1. Won the last four and undefeated in seven in all competitions; won five and drawn two since losing 2-1, away to Besiktas in the Champions League on 24 October.
2. Unbeaten in 14 league matches; won seven and drawn seven since losing 1-0, away to Fulham on 5 May.
3. One of two remaining unbeaten clubs in the Premier League; the other is Arsenal, and one of six Premier League clubs still holding an unbeaten home record.
4. Conceded an unequalled six Premier League goals this season, at one every 195 minutes (three hours 15 minutes) on average.
5. Drawn six Premier League games; only Fulham have finished level more often - seven times.
6. Dropped 12 Premier League points; only Arsenal have dropped fewer - six.
7. Conceded the opening goal in only one Premier League match this season - fewer than any other club; the 1-2 victory at Everton on 20 October.
8. Picked up just 17 cards in Premier League competition this term - all yellow. Only Everton have been shown fewer; 14 (two red, 12 yellow).
9. Kept eight clean sheets in this Premier League season; as have Manchester United and Chelsea - no club has kept more. Also, been involved in three goalless draws in the highest league; only Portsmouth can match that. 10. Away to Reading after this. The other two pre-Christmas league fixtures are home to Manchester United and Portsmouth.

BOLTON WANDERERS
1. Unbeaten in four Premier League matches; won one and drawn three since losing 2-0, away to Arsenal on 20 October.
2. The 1-0 victory over Manchester United last Saturday ended a nine-match winless run.
3. Not achieved successive Premier League victories in 20 outings since beating Sheffield United (h) and Wigan (a) on 31 March and 7 April respectively.
4. Drawn five of seven league and cup games under Gary Megson; won one of four Premier League fixtures under the new manager.
5. The current tally of 11 points after 14 outings is their worst return since eight points were accrued to the equivalent stage in their first season in this league in 1995-96 which resulted in bottom place and immediate relegation.
6. One of seven clubs without an away win in the Premier League.
7. Won one of the last 12 on the road in all competitions; the 1-2 victory at Fulham in the third round of the Carling Cup on 26 September.
8. Without an away league victory in nine; drawn three and lost six since beating Wigan 1-3 on 7 April - their only maximum in 12 league games away from the Reebok.
9. Home league fixtures against Wigan and Birmingham, and a visit to Manchester City in between, are to be played before Christmas.

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KEY PLAYER NOTES
LIVERPOOL

Fernando TORRES is Liverpool's top scorer with 10 goals, and top Premier League marksman, with five.
Goalkeeper Jose REINA is the only remaining player to have been on the field for every minute of every one of Liverpool's Premier League matches this season.
REINA leads the race for the Barclays Golden Glove, with eight clean sheets.
Steven GERRARD is a double away from 50 top flight league goals - all for Liverpool.
GERRARD has scored four goals in his last 11 Premier League appearances against Bolton.

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BOLTON WANDERERS
Nicolas ANELKA is Bolton's leading scorer with eight goals, including seven of the clubs 12 in the Premier League.
Kevin DAVIES is a hat-trick shy of 100 club career goals (Chesterfield, Southampton, Blackburn, Millwall and Bolton).
Jussi JAASKALAINEN is the only player to have been on the field for every minute of every one of Bolton's Premier League matches this season.
Gary SPEED, the only player to have netted in every Premier League season, is a double shy of 100 career league goals (Leeds, Everton, Newcastle and Bolton).

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If selected:-
SPEED will be extending his record breaking number of Premier League appearances to 534.
Gavin McCANN will be making his 250th career league appearance (Everton, Sunderland, Aston Villa and Bolton).
ANELKA will be playing against a club he was on loan to between December 2001 and May 2002. The 28 year old France international made 22 appearances (20 in the league) and scored five goals (four league) for the Reds.
El-Hadji DIOUF will be facing a former club. The 26 year old Senegal international made 80 appearances (55 in the league) and scored six goals (three league) for Liverpool between June 2002 and his move to the Reebok three years later.
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Suspended:-
Nicky HUNT (one match)Kevin NOLAN (one match)

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HEAD TO HEAD
Liverpool have conceded just one goal in notching five successive home Premier League victories over Bolton.
The Trotters have picked up just one Premier League point from a possible 24 at Anfield and have not enjoyed a league victory there since their 1-2 top-flight triumph on 2 January 1954. Since then Wanderers have drawn two and lost 10 of their 12 league visits.

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Home and awayLeague (inc PL): Liverpool 44 wins, Bolton 35, Draws 29Prem: Liverpool 9 wins, Bolton 3, Draws 4
at Liverpool onlyLeague (inc PL): Liverpool 28 wins, Bolton 10, Draws 16Prem: Liverpool 7 wins, Bolton 0, Draws 1

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