Injury woes for Benitez

Rafael Benitez’s problems continued to mount as goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek returned from his two World Cup qualifiers for Poland in midweek nursing a hamstring problem.

The Spanish boss was taking no chances with the Champions League quarter-final first leg against Juventus coming up on Tuesday and brought in Scott Carson for his Anfield debut.

Fernando Morientes was also not considered fit enough following his thigh injury to start the game and joined Sami Hyypia on the bench with Mauricio Pellegrino holding his place in defence.

John Welsh, fresh from his impressive England Under-21 appearances, played in midfield while Djimi Traore returned at full-back.

Bolton had no such troubles and had Nicky Hunt fit from his knee problem and fielded the side which beat Norwich last time out.

Liverpool: Carson, Finnan, Carragher, Pellegrino, Traore, Nunez, Welsh, Biscan, Gerrard, Riise, Luis Garcia. Subs: Dudek, Hyypia, Smicer, Le Tallec, Morientes.

Bolton: Jaaskelainen, Hunt, N’Gotty, Ben Haim, Candela, Hierro, Giannakopoulos, Speed, Nolan, Gardner, Davies. Subs: Poole, Pedersen, Okocha, Jaidi, Campo.

Referee: S Bennett (Kent)