Match Preview: Liverpool v Bolton Wanderers

Bolton Wanderers will look to seize their moment back in the spotlight when they are the visitors at Anfield to take on Liverpool. The televised cup tie has certainly caught the imagination as nearly 6,000 supporters will travel to roar the team on.

Since the 'white hot' cup upset in 1993 this is a fixture that Bolton have consistently struggled to avoid defeat and Saturday will be no different with Bolton massive underdogs.

Bolton's record at Anfield since 1993

22/8/11 Liverpool 3 Bolton 1

1/1/11 Liverpool 2 Bolton 1

30/1/10 Liverpool 2 Bolton 0

26/12/08 Liverpool 3 Bolton 0

2/12/07 Liverpool 4 Bolton 0

1/1/07 Liverpool 3 Bolton 0

9/4/06 ` Liverpool 1 Bolton 0

2/4/05 Liverpool 1 Bolton 0

26/12/03 Liverpool 3 Bolton 1

07/03/03 Liverpool 2 Bolton 0

31/12/01 Liverpool 1 Bolton 1

06/03/98 Liverpool 2 Bolton 1

22/9/95 Liverpool 5 Bolton 2

Looking at our record from trips to Anfield in the Premier League its fair to say we are due a result.

The only other recent game at Anfield was a 3-2 Carling Cup win in 2003 on our run to the final and that result will do just nicely on Saturday evening.

I still haven't forgiven Liverpool and Steve McManaman for breaking my 9 year old heart back in the 1995 Coca Cola cup final and a win on Saturday could go some way to repairing the damage.

Team News

Bolton will be without Craig Davies who has had a recurrence of the hamstring injury that kept him out around Christmas. That leaves Eidur Gudjohnsen likely to partner Emile Heskey up front giving us plenty of big game experience. Zach Clough may be fit enough for a place on the bench and it will be interesting to see if Neil Lennon sticks to the 3 centre back set up he used at Sheffield Wednesday last week.

As for Liverpool rumours are that Brendan Rodgers will rotate his squad with one eye on the 2nd leg of the League Cup semi-final with Chelsea on Tuesday. This would mean regulars such as Gerrard, Henderson and Sterling may be rested with opportunities for the likes of Lallana, Borini and Lambert to get a start. Daniel Sturridge thankfully is not expected to be fit.

Betting

Liverpool 1/3 Draw 9/2 Bolton 10/1

My £1 will be going on Matt Mills 1st scorer at 50/1.

Lets hope the Bolton resurgence under Neil Lennon continues on Saturday and that there are many more big occasions to come this season.

COYWM