Bolton Wanderers 2 Liverpool 2

Last updated : 07 February 2004 By Footymad Previewer

Sam Allardyce would have loved to have celebrated his 100th Premiership game in charge of Wanderers with a win.

For long periods it looked as if he would get his chance as the Carling Cup finalists were twice in front.

Local lad Nicky Hunt, surrounded by players from all over the world, scored his first senior goal to put Bolton in front after 11 minutes and after that the home side bossed the first half.

After half time Liverpool finally rolled up their sleeves and Sami Hyypia pulled a goal back on 51 minutes.

Yet if they thought they had broken the home side's spirit, they were stunned when Youri Djorkaeff put Bolton back in front.

At times the home side's decision to surrender space in their own half looked a dangerous game and Liverpool finally exploited that when Steven Gerrard hit a close-range equaliser in the 69th minute.

Both sides could have won it, Kevin Davies and Henrik Pedersen going close for Bolton, and Michael Owen almost getting back on the goal trail, but in the end a point satisfied both managers.

Wanderers, who moved up to eighth place in the table following last week's win at Charlton, were forced to make one change.

Djorkaeff, who was missing at The Valley because of a hamstring strain, was fit to resume and he replaced another injury victim, Stelios, the Greek international, who limped off after only 15 minutes at Charlton.

Liverpool, without a win in their last three Premiership games, were unchanged, manager Gerard Houllier deciding that last week's derby draw against Everton was further evidence that his team was moving in the right direction.

There was, however, much interest on the substitutes' benches of the two teams.

Bolton included Liverpool defender John Otsemobor, who moved from Anfield to the Reebok on loan until the end of the season, while another loan player, Atletico's Javi Moreno, was also named as one of the substitutes.

For Liverpool, Florent Sinama Pongolle was back in the first-team squad after a groin injury alongside Danny Murphy and John Arne Riise.

Owen's goal search was almost ended in the opening minute when Per Frandsen's tackle on Gerrard brought Liverpool a free-kick just outside the area.

The England international took the kick himself and Owen was able to beat the cover to get a touch, but Wanderers keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen was alert enough to collect on the goal-line.

Gerrard then played a good ball into the area again to feed Owen's goal appetite but this time, good defensive work by Bruno N'Gotty saved the day.

Yet it was Bolton who managed to take an early lead when Steve Finnan half-cleared Pedersen's shot in the 11th minute only for the ball to go straight to Hunt.

The defender drove in a left-foot shot that crept in at the near post for the 20-year-old's first senior goal.

Such was the tempo of the game, Liverpool were quickly back to the other end and it took a great tackle by N'Gotty again to prevent Owen hitting the equaliser.

Wanderers, however, could have doubled their lead in the 18th minute with Hunt this time the provider.

His throughball put Pedersen into space but, with only Jerzy Dudek to beat, the Dane put his effort over the bar.

It then took a good save from Dudek to deny the attack minded Wanderers, the Polish keeper blocking a fierce drive by Hunt again after the defender had exchanged passes with Frandsen.

That was Frandsen's last contribution as he limped off with a groin problem in the 26th minute to be replaced by Ibrahim Ba.

Next it was Liverpool's turn to go close, and Harry Kewell should have done better but, after taking the ball wide round the keeper, he allowed the Bolton cover to regroup and force a corner.

On the stroke of half time Kewell had the chance to atone with a smart low shot from inside a crowded area but Jaaskelainen was able to get down and smother the danger.

The second half was only six minutes old when Liverpool finally drew level.

Gerrard won a disputed free kick on the right and drove the ball into a packed six-yard box and onto the head of Hyypia, who powered it into the roof of the net.

Yet seven minutes later Wanderers were back in front, Djorkaeff marking his return with a goal from close range after Davies had knocked a Kevin Nolan corner back across the box.

Again the lead did not last long, Gerrard scoring at the far post after Anthony Le Tallec's pass had left the Bolton defence in tatters.

Owen then had a golden chance to add another goal but as he looked to pounce from close range he was unable to keep his shot on target.

Wanderers almost stole it at the death, N'Gotty putting Djorkaeff's 88th minute free kick narrowly wide. Then Davies, breaking on the left in stoppage time, forced Dudek into tipping the ball over the bar.

Man of the match: Steven Gerrard – The England midfielder shone out throughout the whole of the game with his goal ensuring Liverpool gained a valuable away point.