Liverpool went behind on two occasions before finally killing off the game with a late Steven Gerrard winner as Bolton ended the game with 10 men.
Rafa Benitez handed new Greek signing Kyrgiakos his debut in place of Martin Skrtel. Albert Riera made his first start of the season with Yossi Benayoun switching to the bench. Ryan Babel was dropped from the squad.
Earlier in the day the reds substitute keeper Diego Cavalieri learned the sad news that his father had passed away so Peter Gulacsi replaced him on the bench as the player flew home to Brazil.
There was little excitement in the first half an hour as Liverpool were heavily man-handled by Bolton. Steven Gerrard was shadowed around the pitch by some decent man-marking.
When the reds failed to deal with a corner Kevin Davies was on hand to fire Bolton ahead.
Shortly after a Gerrard corner was partly cleared and Glen Johnson fired a shot in to the net to equalise.
HT: 1-1
Within a minute of the second half a long ball was flicked on by Kevin Davies and Cohen fired in the volley to give Bolton a 2-1 lead.
Liverpool were stunned, but this was the goal that woke them up as they dominated the second half.
When Lucas was on the receiving end of a foul Davis was shown a second yellow card and off he went.
Liverpool piled forward and Gerrard saw a shot return off the bar before Fernando Torres scored the reds second equaliser of the day.
The clock was ticking down and Liverpool were attacking the goal from all angles when eventually the ball landed at Gerrard’s feet and he fired in the winner.
Liverpool could have had another but Fernando Torres’ shot was cleared off the line by the acrobatic Jaaskaleinen.
The reds have scored 9 times in their first 4 league games, but conceding 7 will be the most worrying statistic facing Rafa Benitez – for a team renowned for their defensive strength.
Our Man of the Match
A constant attacking presence and proving himself a promising signing we have singled out Glen Johnson (Vote for your man of the match here in the forum)
Post Match Comments
Rafa Benitez:
“All our players wanted to impress and do well. Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres, among others, knew they needed to improve.
“We showed we have quality players and they all fought hard to show their improvement.
“We had a lot of possession and were in control for much of the game. To concede two goals like we did is disappointing, but the team hit back and proved their quality.”
(On the second yellow card for Davis) “When you foul someone like that from behind, it is a yellow card, there is no doubt about it.”
Stats
Shots (on target)
Liverpool: 26 (14)
Bolton: 8 (5)
Possession
Liverpool: 63%
Bolton: 37%
Team News
Liverpool: Reina, Johnson, Insua, Carragher, Kyrgiakos, Leiva, Gerrard, Mascherano (Voronin 74), Riera (Benayoun 63), Kuyt (Dossena 89), Torres
Subs not used: Gulacsi, Plessis, Kelly, Skrtel
Goals: Johnson 41, Torres 56, Gerrard 83
Booked: Gerrard
Bolton: Jaaskaleinen, Samuel, Cahill, Knight, Ricketts, Muamba (Riga 90), Taylor, Cohen (Steinnson 78), Davies, Elmander (Basham 59), Davis
Subs not used: Al Habsi, Robinson, O’Brien, Lee
Goals: Davies 33, Cohen 47
Booked: Cahill, Muamba, Davis
Sent off: Davis
Referee: Alan Wiley
Attendance: 23,284