English Premier League: Bolton vs. Liverpool Preview
Owen Coyle, the Bolton manager confirmed that Ivan Klasnic, who was suspended in last weekend’s fixture against Wigan would be available this weekend against Liverpool despite being on bail. The player was arrested for suspicion of rape earlier this week
but has been released and will be making an appearance.
Coyle also confirmed rumors of Andy O’Brien joining Leeds United on a loan for a month, following a recent hamstring injury. Coyle will also be without Joey O’Brien, Ricardo Gardner, Jlloyd Samuel and Sean Davis; the players are still sidelined with injuries
and are not expected to return anytime soon. This leaves Coyle with limited players to choose from for this important fixture.
Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson will be waiting on a late fitness test to decide whether Glen Johnson will travel to the Reebok Stadium. The England international has missed the last three fixtures because of a thigh injury but there is still hope that he may
return today. There is no hope however, for Dirk Kuyt. The player is still out with a knee problem but is expected to make a return next week.
With the exception of the Dutch international, Hodgson will have most of his star players at his service. The Reds found an unlikely hero in Soririos Kyrgiakos, who was undoubtedly the man of the match in their win over Blackburn last week. The 2-1 win will
give Liverpool some confidence and they will look to move away from the relegation zone.
Match Facts
Liverpool go into the Bolton match confident, the Reds have won all the last seven fixtures against Bolton in the Premier League.
Liverpool striker Ryan Babel has scored in two out of three appearances against Bolton in the Premier League.
Steven Gerrard has an exceptional record against Bolton; the Liverpool captain has scored a total of seven goals against them, including the last two visits to the Reebok Stadium.
Since the opening of this season Liverpool have not score a goal in the Premier League that wasn’t either score or assisted by either Steven Gerrard or Fernando Torres.
Statistics show that eight out of nine goals from Liverpool have come in the second half of the match.
Out of their last 13 Premier League away fixtures, Liverpool have managed to win only one.
The game against Bolton today will be the Red’s 163rd league fixture on a Sunday, more than any other Premier League side.
So far Bolton have conceded 199 goals in north west derbies in the Premier League.
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