Reds Defeated Again

Poor Decision By Ref Was Turning Point

Reebok Stadium

Bolton 2 - 0 LIVERPOOL

Scorers:
BOL - Speed (30min), Campo (50min);

I didn't catch the first half, but I did watch the highlights and boy, was I pissed. Reina took a goal kick and adjudged to have 'handball outside the penalty box' and Liverpool promptly got punished by yet another Bolton set piece. Gary Speed blasted home the free kick and Liverpool were behind, unfairly.

What on earth is the linesman thinking? If he does watch football a fair bit, he will know that Reina ALWAYS take his goal kick that way and replays shows that he clearly released the ball INSIDE the box. Wrong decision, another controversy and talking point for the following week.

Liverpool had their fair share of chances with Alonso hitting the post and Gerrard had a couple of chance to take pot shot at goal. But they struggled to break down the resolute Bolton defence. Kuyt and Bellamy were kept really quiet and even though Crouch was brought on for the second half, there was little the on form striker could do, showing some poor touches and some moments of frustration.

Campo then punished Liverpool the same way Galatasaray did during the Champions League game. Wingers and midfielders moved towards Liverpool's left flank, drawing Hyypia and Carragher that direction before sending a ball into the penalty area. Ivan Campo outjumped Steve Finnan, who's the only defender covering the penalty spot and it was pretty much over for Liverpool.

Bolton's fantastic home record continues, unbeaten and has yet to concede a goal. Liverpool struggled to break them down and the longer it took, the more frustrated the Liverpool players were and the deeper Bolton defended.

In the end, a great win for Bolton, but Liverpool need to start to find some form away from Anfield, as they have yet to win away this season thus far.

Drogballs' Post Match Report:

A bad bad decision cost us again. But let's look things in perspective. We're awful. We couldn't keep the ball as the ball retention was beyond poor. Sissoko wasted loads of possesion and the strikers were cut off from the supply line. Campo held the defensive midfield position very well and both Kuyt and Bellamy were rendered useless.

Bellamy could not put his pace into action due to the deep line Bolton held and Kuyt was marked out of the game. Even when Crouch was put into action, the in form striker could not hold on to the ball due to the physical approach by the Bolton defence.

I thought Benitez should've kept Kuyt instead of Bellamy because after 70 minutes, Bolton closed shop and left nothing behind their defence line for Bellamy to run into. Gerrard looked off form again and Sissoko was pretty poor.

We really need to start grinding out results away because away games count as well and next up is Blackburn and it's another away game. We cannot afford to lose another game if we're to 'challenge for the title' and already losing 3 games, we're already halfway there to the maximum number of lost possible for anyone that is to challenge for the title.

Let's not give up hope just yet shall we, although this might sound like blind faith. Just keep supporting our lads and don't give up on them.

Oh and the media will have another field day, '96th games without a settled side', eh?

Player Ratings:

Reina 7

Finnan 7
Carragher 7
Hyypia 7
Riise 6

Pennant 5
Alonso 7
Sissoko 6
Gerrard 7

Kuyt 6
Bellamy 6


Subs:

Crouch 6
Luis Garcia 6
Zenden 6