Cole notched his first league goal since joining Liverpool last summer
Joe Cole came off the bench to score a contested late winner as Liverpool fought back from a goal down to seal a much-needed win over Bolton at Anfield.
Under-fire Reds boss Roy Hodgson cut a dejected figure as Kevin Davies headed Bolton in front just before half-time.
Liverpool replied shortly after the break when Fernando Torres volleyed home from Steven Gerrard's pass.
Cole was introduced on 82 minutes and tapped in at the death from what seemed an offside position to grab the points.
The result sees Liverpool pull six points clear of the relegation zone, rising from 12th to ninth, while Bolton drop to seventh.
It was a dramatic end to a tense encounter and although Bolton may complain bitterly about Cole's strike, Liverpool are sure to toast a crucial three points.
Hodgson's men came into the match under huge pressure following Wednesday's shock defeat by Wolves.
That left the Reds perilously close to the bottom three and confirmed they would enter 2011 on their lowest points tally since the 1953/54 season, which ended in relegation.
The home fans turned on the manager during the Wolves loss and reports on Saturday suggested the Anfield hierarchy were already considering replacements should they decide to sack the 63-year-old.
All of this surely made the game an absolute must-win for Liverpool and, having won 10 of their previous 11 home Premier League meetings with Bolton, the omens were good.
Captain Gerrard dropped to the bench after playing 90 minutes in midweek following six weeks out with a calf injury, but his side got off to an encouraging start - Torres looking particularly lively.
And the Spaniard was at the heart of a move that saw Liverpool threaten to open the scoring, his shot deflecting to the back post where Maxi Rodriguez volleyed across goal and Matt Taylor slid in to avert the danger.
As the half wore on, there was a distinct sense of nervousness around the ground and Bolton, who travelled with a squad of only 15 players, slowly began to grow in confidence.
Hodgson 'proud' of Liverpool playersAn injury to Raul Meireles meant Gerrard was introduced on 21 minutes but it was the visitors who appeared more likely to break the deadlock, with Taylor curling a free-kick narrowly wide from 25 yards and Zat Knight heading wide from Johan Elmander's cross.
There seemed a greater urgency about Liverpool with Gerrard on the pitch and they were denied by the woodwork when a Maxi header from Dirk Kuyt's right-wing centre looped on to the crossbar.
Yet Bolton were holding out fairly comfortably and their day got a whole lot better when Kevin Davies pounced shortly before half-time for the Trotters' first goal at Anfield since 2003.
Fabio Aurelio, starting his first league match this season in place of Paul Konchesky, fouled Rodrigo Moreno on the Bolton right and Davies muscled his way ahead of Glen Johnson to power home Taylor's inviting free-kick.
It was a goal that drew anger from the terraces but Liverpool should have been level within a couple of minutes, with Leiva Lucas prodding wide from a Kuyt cross when it looked harder to miss than score.
'Cruel' loss frustrates CoyleFortunately for the hosts, an equaliser was forthcoming just after the break. http://shop.ebay.co.uk/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p5197.m570.l1313&_nkw=dvd+with+media+on+it&_sacat=See-All-Categories
David Ngog laid Johnson's chipped pass to Gerrard, who floated a delightful ball over the top for Torres to expertly volley past Jussi Jaaskelainen and send the Kop into raptures.
Liverpool now had the wind in their sails and Torres came close to giving his side the lead. The Spaniard was released by Gerrard and cut in from the left before fizzing a low effort narrowly wide of the far post.
Jaaskelainen then stood tall to deny Gerrard and although the rebound appeared to strike Mark Davies on the arm, referee Kevin Friend waved away Liverpool's appeals for a penalty.
Liverpool continued to probe and Torres volleyed wide from another accurate Gerrard cross, while at the other end Mark Davies shot powerfully at Pepe Reina in a rare Bolton attack.
But the pressure finally told as Gerrard's deep cross from the right was bundled towards goal by Maxi and Cole tapped in for his first league goal since joining Liverpool from Chelsea last summer.
Bolton's protests came to nothing and despite pushing for an even later equaliser - Reina saving well from substitute Ivan Klasnic - their efforts came to nothing.
Saturday, 1 January 2011
Barclays Premier League
Final Result Full Time 90:00+4:08 The game is over, as the referee blows his whistle. 90:00+3:51 Ivan Klasnic takes a shot. Save by Jose Reina. 90:00+1:03 GOAL - Joe Cole:Liverpool 2 - 1 Bolton Joe Cole finds the net with a goal from close in to the bottom right corner of the goal. Liverpool 2-1 Bolton. 89:54 Free kick awarded for a foul by Fabrice Muamba on Leiva Lucas. Leiva Lucas takes the direct free kick. 89:13 Steven Gerrard has shot on goal from just outside the box which goes wide of the right-hand upright. 88:46 Outswinging corner taken left-footed by Fabio Aurelio played to the near post, Zat Knight manages to make a clearance. 88:46 Substitution (Liverpool) makes a substitution, with Sotirios Kyrgiakos coming on for Daniel Agger. 88:30 The ball is crossed by Dirk Kuyt, clearance by Ivan Klasnic. 87:54 Ivan Klasnic takes a shot. Jose Reina makes a save. 87:22 The ball is crossed by Glen Johnson, save by Jussi Jaaskelainen. 86:50 The ball is crossed by Marcos Alonso, save by Jose Reina. 85:28 The referee blows for offside. Indirect free kick taken by Jussi Jaaskelainen. 84:37 Martin Petrov produces a cross, Headed effort from inside the area by Ivan Klasnic misses to the right of the target. 83:51 Corner taken left-footed by Martin Petrov from the right by-line to the near post, save made by Jose Reina. 83:12 Martin Skrtel concedes a free kick for a foul on Ivan Klasnic. Marcos Alonso takes the direct free kick. 81:37 David Ngog sends in a cross, Mark Davies manages to make a clearance. Leiva Lucas takes a outswinging corner to the near post, Kevin Davies makes a clearance. Steven Gerrard produces a right-footed shot from just outside the penalty area that goes harmlessly over the target. 81:37 Substitution Martin Petrov joins the action as a substitute, replacing Matthew Taylor. 81:37 Substitution Joe Cole replaces David Ngog. 79:45 Fabio Aurelio crosses the ball, clearance made by Matthew Taylor. 78:53 Fernando Torres produces a cross, save by Jussi Jaaskelainen. 78:45 Fabio Aurelio crosses the ball, Mark Davies manages to make a clearance. 77:34 Mark Davies takes a shot. Save by Jose Reina. 77:15 Glen Johnson produces a cross, save by Jussi Jaaskelainen. 76:54 Steven Gerrard takes the inswinging corner, clearance by Johan Elmander. 76:22 Foul by Matthew Taylor on Glen Johnson, free kick awarded. Free kick crossed left-footed by Fabio Aurelio from right wing, Gary Cahill makes a clearance. 76:22 Booking Matthew Taylor is cautioned by the ref for unsporting behaviour. 72:47 The ball is swung over by Steven Gerrard, Shot by Fernando Torres from deep inside the penalty area misses to the right of the target. 71:38 The ball is delivered by Steven Gerrard, clearance made by Zat Knight. 71:02 Leiva Lucas crosses the ball, Fabrice Muamba gets a block in. Outswinging corner taken from the left by-line by Fabio Aurelio, Kevin Davies manages to make a clearance. 69:53 The ball is swung over by Fernando Torres. 68:53 Substitution Ivan Klasnic joins the action as a substitute, replacing Rodrigo Moreno. 67:55 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Leiva Lucas by Kevin Davies. Daniel Agger takes the free kick. 67:21 David Ngog takes a shot. Gary Cahill gets a block in. Steven Gerrard takes a shot from inside the box clearing the bar. 65:59 Effort from outside the penalty area by Matthew Taylor goes wide left of the target. 65:18 Steven Gerrard takes a shot. Jussi Jaaskelainen makes a save. 64:06 The ball is crossed by Glen Johnson. 63:30 Rodrigo Moreno challenges Glen Johnson unfairly and gives away a free kick. Martin Skrtel takes the free kick. 62:03 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Marcos Alonso by Dirk Kuyt. Free kick taken by Jussi Jaaskelainen. 61:37 The ball is sent over by Fabio Aurelio, clearance made by Zat Knight. 60:39 Inswinging corner taken right-footed by Steven Gerrard from the left by-line to the near post, Johan Elmander makes a clearance. 58:12 Dirk Kuyt challenges Mark Davies unfairly and gives away a free kick. Free kick crossed left-footed by Matthew Taylor from right wing, Steven Gerrard makes a clearance. 57:42 Corner taken left-footed by Matthew Taylor, clearance by Dirk Kuyt. 56:43 Marcos Alonso challenges Dirk Kuyt unfairly and gives away a free kick. Fabio Aurelio takes the direct free kick, Header from deep inside the area by Dirk Kuyt goes harmlessly over the crossbar. 56:43 Booking Marcos Alonso goes into the book. 55:02 Free kick awarded for a foul by Gary Cahill on Fernando Torres. Fabio Aurelio delivers the ball from the free kick left-footed from right wing, Samuel Ricketts makes a clearance. 54:20 Fernando Torres produces a right-footed shot from the edge of the box and misses to the right of the target. 49:56 Corner taken left-footed by Matthew Taylor from the right by-line, Jose Reina makes a save. 48:51 Steven Gerrard provided the assist for the goal. 48:51 GOAL - Fernando Torres:Liverpool 1 - 1 Bolton Fernando Torres finds the net with a goal from close range to the top left corner of the goal. Liverpool 1-1 Bolton. 47:22 Leiva Lucas is ruled offside. Jussi Jaaskelainen takes the free kick. 46:45 Marcos Alonso challenges Dirk Kuyt unfairly and gives away a free kick. Jose Reina restarts play with the free kick. 45:58 Foul by Kevin Davies on Leiva Lucas, free kick awarded. Fabio Aurelio takes the direct free kick. 45:22 The ball is crossed by Johan Elmander, Martin Skrtel makes a clearance. 45:01 The referee starts the second half. Half Time 45:00+2:33 The ref blows to signal half-time. 45:00+1:50 Fabrice Muamba fouled by Leiva Lucas, the ref awards a free kick. Jussi Jaaskelainen takes the direct free kick. 45:00+1:50 Booking Leiva Lucas receives a caution. 45:00+0:45 Foul by Gary Cahill on Fernando Torres, free kick awarded. Jose Reina restarts play with the free kick. 44:26 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on David Ngog by Samuel Ricketts. The free kick is delivered right-footed by Steven Gerrard from left channel, clearance by Zat Knight. Leiva Lucas produces a right-footed shot from deep inside the six-yard box which goes wide of the right-hand upright. 42:41 Free kick awarded for a foul by Fabio Aurelio on Johan Elmander. Assist on the goal came from Matthew Taylor. 42:41 GOAL - Kevin Davies:Liverpool 0 - 1 Bolton Kevin Davies finds the net with a headed goal from close in. Liverpool 0-1 Bolton. 42:18 Booking Fabio Aurelio receives a caution for unsporting behaviour. 41:29 Free kick awarded for a foul by David Ngog on Marcos Alonso. Free kick crossed by Matthew Taylor, clearance made by Daniel Agger. 40:51 The ball is swung over by Matthew Taylor, clearance by Fabio Aurelio. 39:55 David Ngog takes a shot. Save by Jussi Jaaskelainen. 39:27 The ball is swung over by Rodrigo Moreno, clearance by Martin Skrtel. 35:06 A cross is delivered by Steven Gerrard, clearance by Zat Knight. 32:48 Foul by Mark Davies on Steven Gerrard, free kick awarded. Martin Skrtel takes the direct free kick. 31:23 Dirk Kuyt produces a cross, Rodriguez Maxi takes a shot. 30:39 Matthew Taylor has shot on goal from just outside the area which goes wide of the right-hand upright. 29:30 Steven Gerrard gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Marcos Alonso. The free kick is swung in left-footed by Matthew Taylor, clearance made by Fabio Aurelio. The ball is sent over by Johan Elmander, Headed effort from inside the area by Zat Knight misses to the left of the target. 27:48 Centre by Steven Gerrard, clearance made by Matthew Taylor. 27:40 The ball is sent over by Steven Gerrard, Samuel Ricketts makes a clearance. 25:42 Kevin Davies gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Daniel Agger. Free kick taken by Jose Reina. 23:52 Steven Gerrard takes a outswinging corner from the right by-line to the near post, Gary Cahill manages to make a clearance. Corner taken right-footed by Steven Gerrard from the right by-line, Glen Johnson takes a shot. Jussi Jaaskelainen makes a comfortable save. 22:39 Samuel Ricketts produces a cross, Daniel Agger gets a block in. Matthew Taylor takes the inswinging corner, David Ngog manages to make a clearance. 21:46 Fabio Aurelio sends in a cross, Zat Knight manages to make a clearance. 20:21 Foul by Dirk Kuyt on Mark Davies, free kick awarded. Matthew Taylor has a direct shot on goal from the free kick. 20:21 Substitution Steven Gerrard replaces Raul Meireles. 17:48 Rodrigo Moreno takes a long range shot clearing the crossbar. 16:59 David Ngog sends in a cross, Rodriguez Maxi takes a shot. Clearance made by Marcos Alonso. 14:58 Unfair challenge on Mark Davies by Leiva Lucas results in a free kick. Free kick crossed by Matthew Taylor, Zat Knight challenges Daniel Agger unfairly and gives away a free kick. Jose Reina takes the direct free kick. 14:26 Raul Meireles gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Rodrigo Moreno. Free kick crossed left-footed by Matthew Taylor from left channel, Jose Reina makes a save. 13:54 Glen Johnson is ruled offside. Jussi Jaaskelainen takes the indirect free kick. 12:11 The offside flag is raised against Rodriguez Maxi. Free kick taken by Jussi Jaaskelainen. 8:53 Kevin Davies concedes a free kick for a foul on Daniel Agger. Daniel Agger takes the free kick. 7:51 Foul by Zat Knight on Fernando Torres, free kick awarded. The ball is sent over by Raul Meireles, Headed effort from deep inside the area by Martin Skrtel misses to the left of the goal. 5:57 Raul Meireles fouled by Mark Davies, the ref awards a free kick. Raul Meireles takes the direct free kick. The ball is swung over by Fernando Torres. 1:22 Mark Davies fouled by Dirk Kuyt, the ref awards a free kick. Jussi Jaaskelainen restarts play with the free kick. 0:15 The referee penalises David Ngog for handball. Free kick crossed by Matthew Taylor. 0:00 The referee gets the match started. Live text and data provided by The Press Association.
