SOCCER/ ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE Liverpool 3 Bolton 0:SAMMY LEE insisted it was in Liverpool's DNA always to believe in their ability to win the Premier League, but this was the first time this season that Anfield has chosen to announce it.
Given the response to the challenge laid down earlier by Manchester United and Chelsea, the vote of confidence in Rafael Benitez's leaders was as credible as it was audible.
Anxiety was again in the air among supporters who crave little else but Liverpool's first league title since 1990, although only in their reaction to news of Carlos Tevez's late winner for United at Stoke City. It seeped no further and, with maximum effort and a minimum of fuss, Liverpool contemptuously brushed off Bolton Wanderers to ensure they remain in pole position at the turn.
By the finale, with Benitez's players toying with demoralised opponents and 42 points secured at the halfway stage, the season's opening rendition of "Liverpool; top of the league" was a message of defiance and not a statement of the obvious.
Such was the comfort with which Liverpool consolidated top place, however, that expectations will rise. Especially with Fernando Torres edging ever closer to a return from hamstring trouble.
Recent form had indicated Bolton would prove the latest strong and cohesive unit to frustrate the leaders on home soil, having won three of their past four away fixtures to climb into the top half of the table, but Liverpool made a swift and convincing mockery of that perception. Benitez's side were on the front foot throughout, the appetite to respond to United and Chelsea's victories instantly apparent, and the luxury of a rare early lead at Anfield spared them the anxieties that had afflicted previous home matches against Fulham, West Ham and Hull.
As in the corresponding game at the Reebok last month, Gary Megson set out to smother the relentless threat of Steven Gerrard from Liverpool's midfield at the expense of Bolton's own ambition. And, as in Liverpool's comfortable 2-0 win on 15 November, it did not work.
Fabrice Muamba became a holding midfielder without a cause the moment Gerrard lined-up in the centre of a 4-4-2 and, with the exception of a second-minute counterattack when Jose Reina intercepted Kevin Nolan's cross towards the unmarked Ricardo Gardner, Bolton's adventure was non-existent. Liverpool were positively exuberant by contrast and easing towards their first league win at Anfield since November 8th as soon as Albert Riera prodded them into a 26th-minute lead.
The source of the opening goal held no surprise. Gerrard's corners had crafted openings for Riera and the impressive young left back Emiliano Insua before Liverpool's eighth of the contest found Bolton dawdling and punished them. Jlloyd Samuel and Johan Elmander were caught ball-watching as Gerrard's delivery arrived at the near post and Riera, his intelligent run unchecked, converted an awkward volley with ease.
Liverpool's performance continued on an upwards curve that met minimal resistance, despite Megson's audible appeals from his technical area for Bolton to "get into 'em" or "close the game". Neither request had any impact.
Jamie Carragher almost spread disbelief around Anfield with a left-footed drive from 25 yards that flew narrowly over the bar but, as at the Emirates on Sunday, it was Robbie Keane who provided the gloss on Liverpool's display.
The Republic of Ireland captain's fourth league goal since arriving from Tottenham was reminiscent of a previous strike against West Bromwich Albion, when he was also released into space behind a static defence, and the lack of such opportunities has added to the frustrations of a brief Anfield career. Released by an excellent pass from Gerrard, Keane beat Jussi Jaaskelainen with an emphatic finish inside the Bolton goalkeeper's near post.
The rout reached its pinnacle five minutes later. Reina bowled the ball out to Xabi Alonso, who fed Yossi Benayoun. The Israel international crossed low for Keane to sweep home his second and Liverpool's third. First is all that matters, however, and Liverpool are beginning to feel increasingly at home.
• Guardian Service
