FA Cup fourth round, Bolton v Liverpool final score: 1-2

Liverpool escaped a late FA Cup loss Bolton during the FA Cup 4th round thanks to a pair of late goals.

This was a landmark game for Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard, as it was his 700th for the club. The game was forced in to a replay two weeks ago when Bolton held on for a 0-0 draw when they visited Anfield. The winner of this game is scheduled to play Crystal Palace in the 5th round on the 14th of February.

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It was clear from the outset that Liverpool were taking this game seriously with their starting line up, the FA cup served as the last realistic chance winning a cup (you have to play a lot of games in the Europa League) and the Red’s boss set out his strongest side.

The first half started as expected, Liverpool holding most of the possession but failing to make it pay. Bolton manager Neil Lennon felt upset at some of the referee’s decisions and was constantly in the ear of the fourth official. Nothing new for the former Celtic manager who is rarely un-controversial.

Sterling came close with a left footed shot following a Liverpool break away, however the Bolton goalkeeper Lonergan did well to block the shot, and bundle the ball before Adam Lallana could pounce.

Mignolet was forced to make a few catches during the first half and did well when called upon. There weren’t any shots that warranted a goal, so he would have been in hot water had he let them in.

Going forward, Liverpool were mostly wasteful shooting from distance. However Sterling did very well to improvise a shot following a great turn from Lallana, just hitting the outside of the right post.

The first half left a lot to be desired, and the Sterling chance was the only clear cut chance.

Sterling miss vs Bolton in the FA Cup 4th round

The second half started very similar to the first, however the tempo got a kick start when Coutinho broke away and played a perfect pass behind the defense to the running Sterling who eventually got off a great curling shot. Bolton’s Lonergan was forced in to a one handed diving save.

This got both sets of fans to liven up.

The game’s controversial moment came on the 58th minute when Skrtel went to challenge Bolton’s Clough, the forward seemed to go down very easily, leading the commentator to label it a dive. Former Chelsea striker Eidur Gudjohnsen stepped up and confidently placed the ball down the middle past Mignolet.

The game’s talking points continued after the penalty, Lazor Markovic was forced off after picking up a knock. Neil Danns was forced off for a very different reason. Joe Allen did well after picking up the ball, he released it before Danns arrived late and cleaned the Liverpool man out. It was a definite booking, the Bolton man’s second of the day.

Following the red card the game went in to a frenzy of Liverpool attacks leading to both Jordan Henderson and Emre Can firing off shots that hit the woodwork. The storm was coming and Bolton were struggling to withstand it.

The signs for a Liverpool goal were on the wall, and it was in the dying embers of the game when all their work came to fruition. Can did fantastically to dink the ball over the defense with Sterling running on to it with a neat and calm finish on his bad foot.

Liverpool’s attacking continued in to added time and they got their reward with an excellent finish from Philippe Coutinho who was having an excellent game.

It was his first game since signing his new contract, what a way to repay his club.

Liverpool will play Crystal Palace in the 5th round on the 14th of February. Liverpool are desperate to keep their cup run going as it would see captain Gerrard say goodbye to the club in the final. It’s the last game of the season and it just so happens that the game falls on Gerrard’s birthday. The script has been written, Liverpool just have to sell it.

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