Joe Cole's late goal should ease the tension some, but there's still plenty of work to be done for LFC.
90' +2, Liverpool 2-1: That was a huge goal for a multitude of reasons. Joe Cole punches home a ball from a foot from the goal line that was put on net by Maxi Rodriguez. The play was started by a gorgeous crossing pass from Steven Gerrard. He's been impressive all day.
89, 1-1: For the second time, Steven Gerrard gets a chance to give Liverpool a lead. And for the second time, the captain misses wide right.
88', 1-1: Glen Johnson owes Pepe Reina dinner or something. After a potetnially disasterous turnover by Johnson, the veteran goalkeeper made a point-blank save to preserve this 1-1 tie.
86', 1-1: Bolton ups the pressure some, but a couple of blocked shots, including one from Glen Johnson, make sure the ball never even reaches Pepe Reina.
81', 1-1: Liverpool is awarded a corner, and a deflection gives Steven Gerrard a shot, but he blasts it wide.
Hodgson goes to his bench, replacing David Ngog with Joe Cole.
78', 1-1: Bolton makes a strong push toward the Liverpool net, but Pepe Reina comes up big for the Reds with a clutch save.
72', 1-1: Spoke earlier about a lack of "crispness" for Liverpool. They've come out in the second half erasing talk of that for the most part.
They're moving the ball quickly right now with touch passes as they continue to control things.
67', 1-1: Maxi Rodriguez gets a chance, but he's turned away. Steven Gerrard followed it up, but he's also turned away. Best chance for LFC since the goal.
62', 1-1: LFC isn't necessarily getting the chances, but they are controlling the ball. It's a change from the Wolves affair which wouldn't be hard, but it's something.
50', 1-1: And now, Roy Hodgson is the first man up leading a collective sigh of relief as Fernando Torres finds the back of the net.
Terrific pass from Steven Gerrard to set up, he's doing a nice job coming off of the bench for the Reds.
48', Bolton, 1-0: Roy Hodgson shown on the sideline, looking to be biting his nails. Very appropriate at this point.
Halftime, Bolton, 1-0: LFC exited the pitch at halftime to what sounded like a large chorus of boos. Saying that everyone is frustrated at this point would be a gross understatement.
45', Bolton 1-0: Lucas gets a good look at the goal late in the half, but can't convert, missing narrowly to the right. Moments later, Lucas picks up a card for a foul as frustration is clearly setting in for the Reds.
43', Bolton 1-0: Matty Taylor is awarded a free kick, and Bolton makes the most of it. Kevin Davies slips in behind the defense and heads in Taylor's free kick from the left side and Bolton grabs the lead before halftime.
40', 0-0: The good news for Liverpool is that it's controlling possession for the most part. In fact, when the ball hasn't been at midfield, it's been on the Bolton side for the majority of the match.
The bad news, though, if you want to call it that, is that with all of that possession, LFC has nothing to show for it at this point.
33', 0-0: Best chance of the match comes for Liverpool. Dirk Kuyt launches a pretty cross through the box for Maxi Rodriguez. His header, though, hits the crossbar.
25', 0-0: A Liverpool corner leads to a harmless header for Glen Johnson that is easily grabbed.
22', 0-0: Steven Gerrard, coming off the bench makes his appearance early than most would have thought probably. He replaces Meireles who is obviously still bothered by the injury.
15', 0-0: Raul Merieles walks off on his own power with an apparent foot or leg injury.
The Liverpool attack onece again lacks any sort of "crispness."
10', 0-0: Free quick for Liverpool, and they make a bid for Martin Skrtel in the box. His weader misses the mark. At the very least, it's something of an opportunity for LFC.
5', 0-0: Similar start to the Wolves matchup for Liverpool. They're struggling to gain possession. And when they do, they're losing it quick.
10 a.m.: Roy Hodgson has a look of uncertainty on his face as this one kicks off. For what that's worth.
9:30 a.m.: Here's how the two sides will start on Saturday.
Liverpool
Reina
Johnson
Agger
Aurelio
Skrtel
Meireles
Maxi
Lucas
Torres
Kuyt
Ngog
Bolton
Jaaskelainen
Cahill
Knight
Ricketts
Alonso
Muamba
Taylor
M. Davies
Elmander
K. Davies
Moreno
9:30 a.m.: Saturday could be one of those matches where we find out what Liverpool is really made of.
Sure, there have been some ugly matches along the way. But following an incredibly disheartening performance on Wednesday, the Reds must come out and show something today.
6 a.m.: Ugly. There's no other way to put it.
How else would you describe a lackluster performance in front of your home crowd as you try to make a move toward the top of your table. That's exactly what Liverpool put on display for the supporters at Anfield on Wednesday in a stunning, and embarassing, 1-0 loss to the lowly Wolves.
LFC gets a chance to redeem itself on Saturday, though, in welcomimg Bolton to Anfield. The Wanderers come to Liverpool seven points in hand over the Reds, so LFC will need to erase any memories of Wednesday and come out with a much better effort on Saturday.
Kickoff is at 10 a.m. ET.
