Gerrard back for Reds

Steven Gerrard’s return to midfield after suspension was Liverpool’s only change from the side that won at West Brom last time out, as they went in search of a sixth successive victory.

Mohamed Sissoko dropped to the bench and Djibril Cisse held his place on the right of midfield.

Robbie Fowler, on his 31st birthday, was aiming to add to an impressive scoring record of 11 goals in his last 12 matches against Bolton.

Bolton had Nicky Hunt at full-back in place of the injured Joey O’Brien and that was their only change from the side that lost at Birmingham on Tuesday. Ivan Campo and Matt Jansen both returned to the bench after injury.

Liverpool: Reina, Finnan, Hyypia, Carragher, Riise, Cisse, Alonso, Gerrard, Kewell, Fowler, Crouch. Subs: Dudek, Luis Garcia, Hamann, Traore, Sissoko.

Bolton: Jaaskelainen, Hunt, N’Gotty, Ben Haim, Gardner, Nolan, Speed, Faye, Giannakopoulos, Davies, Okocha. Subs: Walker, Campo, Pedersen, Jansen, Borgetti.

Referee: R Styles (Hampshire)