The Liverpool Offside - Liverpool vs. Bolton, 01.24.15Zeppeline, Trinken, & Pink Badeshortshttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/51345/ltos-fav.png2015-01-24T21:40:02+00:00http://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/rss/stream/76439222015-01-24T21:40:02+00:002015-01-24T21:40:02+00:00Liverpool 0, Bolton 0: Visitors Force Replay
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<p>The hosts never really found themselves bothered on Saturday evening at Anfield, but without a final ball or finishing touch to be found, Liverpool are now set for a replay after a 0-0 draw.</p> <blockquote>
<p><b>Liverpool 0<br>Bolton 0</b></p>
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<p>This was not the second act Liverpool would have hoped for after their excellent performance against <a href="https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Chelsea</a> earlier in the week, nor was in the table-setter they would have preferred for this coming Tuesday's second leg. Good but not great for most of the match, they struggled to find a breakthough against a solid, organized Bolton defense, and as a result they've not only failed to build on any momentum created against the league-leaders, but they're now tasked with another match on an already crowded fixture list to progress to the fifth round of the FA Cup.</p>
<p>Given events earlier in the day it could have been much, much worse; Chelsea, <a href="https://bitterandblue.sbnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Manchester City</a>, and Spurs were all beaten at home, with the former pair dropping to lower-league opposition. And there were some nerves that Liverpool could follow suit, especially early in the match, but they were short-lived in a match that saw <span>Brendan Rodgers</span>' squad provide everything but the finish. Bolton had the better of proceedings for the first ten minutes or so, and managed a decent spell in the middle part of the second half, but the rest was all Liverpool.</p>
<p>That made their inability to find a winner all the more frustrating, as chances arrived--and in some cases, were denied by the excellent Adam Bogdan in the Bolton goal--with regularity. So often, though, we saw one of <span>Raheem Sterling</span>, <span>Philippe Coutinho</span>, or <span>Adam Lallana</span> take a touch too many or put a little too much weight on the pass, and when others got involved, it was more of the same.</p>
<p>The forward trio were largely solid in the buildup, but in or around the Bolton penalty area they were varying degrees of poor, with Lallana looking relatively rusty and Coutinho failing to match the heights he's been hitting with such regularity in the past few months. And for all of Sterling's promise and brilliance, he does not yet have the presence to lead <a href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Liverpool's</a> line with consistency, and while he did his best to fill the void again, he needed a reference point of his own to play off for most of the match.</p>
<p>At the other end of the pitch it was far better and far more encouraging, with <span>Emre Can</span> sliding over to a sweeper role in the back three with little noticeable fuss and <span>Mamadou Sakho</span> again excellent. Jose Enrique was equal parts effective and maddening before coming off at the break, while on the right side <span>Glen Johnson</span> and <span>Javier Manquillo</span> had mixed evenings as well. Manquillo was good but offered little impetus going forward, while Johnson didn't cause any significant problems but added little at either end.</p>
<p>Adding Lazar Markovic at the half gave more pace from the left wingback role and should have resulted in the sending off of Matthew Mills were it not for the incompetence of head referree Kevin Friend. The young Serbian made a further few runs forward as the match wore on, but as with Sterling, Coutinho, and Lallana, it all disappeared once he entered the final third. <span>Fabio Borini</span> and Lucas came on with just over twenty minutes to play, with the latter replacing <span>Joe Allen</span>, who had been off the pace for most of the night but managed a few good moments, and the former forcing Bogdan into another excellent save with a curling shot.</p>
<p>That's mostly what today felt like--a collection of a few good moments, none of them quite good enough to win the match. It's to be expected in a side that hasn't found a consistent match-winner in the absence of Daniel Sturridge. Others have stepped up at times, of course, but Liverpool's cutting edge went missing again on Saturday at Anfield. Hopefully they'll rediscover it before Tuesday night.</p>
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https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/2015/1/24/7883959/liverpool-0-bolton-0-fa-cup-fourth-round-2015-bogdan-saves-bleh-fourth-round-replay-Ed-2015-01-24T20:00:03+00:002015-01-24T20:00:03+00:00Liverpool 0, Bolton 0: Rank the Performances
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<p>With a draw against Bolton in the books, we want to know how you would rank Liverpool's performers and who your Man of the Match is.</p> <p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/">Liverpool</a> managed to keep a clean sheet once more in a match that, on paper at least, looked relatively winnable for the men in red, but failure to capitalize on the many, many, many scoring opportunities afforded to them by Bolton, coupled with Kevin Friend's less than amiable refereeing decisions, meant earning a mere draw and forcing a replay of the tie. </p>
<p>Now let us know how you saw things. Clicking the thumbs up button is a vote to move the player up the list-or to help keep them on top. Hitting thumbs down is a vote to push that player closer to the bottom. It's half Man of the Match poll and half player rankings, and we want to use it to find out who you think played well after each Liverpool match and, at the other end, who you'd maybe like to see given the next game off.</p>
<p>At the end of the month we'll go back through the results of that month's Ranker polls to hold a Player of the Month vote. Then, at the end of the season, the monthly results will help to determine The Liverpool Offside's Player of the Season and Young Player of the Season. </p>
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https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/2015/1/24/7881693/liverpool-0-bolton-0-rank-the-performancesStitch Invader2015-01-24T19:28:15+00:002015-01-24T19:28:15+00:00Liverpool 0, Bolton 0: First Thoughts
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<p>On a day of cupsets in the FA Cup, Liverpool were held to a goalless draw at home to a stubborn Bolton Wanderers.</p> <p align="center"><img alt="liverpool blog fc sbn" src="http://cdn1.sbnation.com/images/blog/star-divide.v5e9d7f1.jpg" style="border: 5px solid white;"></p>
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<p><b><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/">Liverpool</a> 0</b><br><b>Bolton 0</b></p>
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<li> <b>Pre-match thoughts: </b><span>Brendan Rodgers</span> confirmed in his pre-match duties that <span>Mario Balotelli</span>, <span>Joe Allen</span>, and <span>Glen Johnson</span> were all available for action. <span>Dejan Lovren</span> was training too. How many would start against <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://lionofviennasuite.sbnation.com/">Bolton Wanderers</a>? Two. Allen and Johnson came in for Lucas and Martin Skrtel while Lovren made the bench. Mario Balotelli did not make the matchday squad, but Jordan Rossiter did. There were five changes from the side that drew with <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/">Chelsea</a> at Anfield earlier in the week. José Enrique, <span>Javier Manquillo</span>, and <span>Adam Lallana</span> all started.<br><br> </li>
<li> The first half hour was full of Liverpool possession in pursuit of an opening goal against a stubborn Championship side that have become defensively organised and hard to beat under Neil Lennon. Bolton's away support was fierce and so was their defending. It was interesting to see old Premier League faces such as Eidur Gudjohnsen and Emile Heskey in action. The home side's main tactic seemed to be to release <span>Raheem Sterling</span> into space on the inside left channel, and the youngster's movement was more effective than his work in the area.<br><br> </li>
<li>There were a couple of counter attacking opportunities for Bolton looked threatening even if they broke down before creating a shooting opportunity. Dean Moxey's sweet long-range strike after the half hour mark travelled wide of Simon Mignolet's right, but it was a warning for the home side.<br><br> </li>
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<span>Mamadou Sakho</span> and <span>Emre Can</span> were majestic in how they defended and passed the ball. Can may prefer playing in midfield but has to feature in defence for the rest of the season. As for Sakho, if there's any player in the squad who feels that playing as a left-sided centre back is where they'd show their best for Liverpool, they have to be prepared to be a reserve. <br><br> </li>
<li> <b>Half-time thoughts: </b>Coutinho was the most enterprising attacking player on the pitch, but if only he had the shooting ability of a player like Pavel Nedvěd! Emile Heskey led the line quite well on his return to his former club, and Bolton were very much in the game. More of the same from the visitors wouldn't be the worst tactic against a home side that did not seriously test Bolton goalkeeper <span>Adam Bogdan</span>. Liverpool lacked penetration from the wide areas, and the introduction of Lazar Marković for Enrique made sense. Rodgers kept Manquillo on to assist Johnson on the right side while Sakho would provide security on the left behind the marauding Marković.<br><br> </li>
<li>Bolton started the second half with a higher tempo and increased pressing compared to end of the first half. The first contentious decision arrived within five minutes as Marković attempted to break through into the area but was caught on the edge by <span>Matt Mills</span>, who was on a yellow card. It happened quickly but Kevin Friend had one decision to make. Bolton should have faced Liverpool with only ten players for the remainder of the game. <span>Lucas Leiva</span> was brought on for the disappointing Joe Allen with around twenty minutes to go, and <span>Fabio Borini</span> was also introduced for Manquillo.<br><br> </li>
<li> The increased tempo of the game brought two good chances for Gudjohnsen either side of the hour mark. Liverpool were in a real battle and <strike><span>Alex McCarthy</span></strike> Adam Bogdan was having an excellent game. Anything Liverpool threw at Bogdan was dealt with, and Bolton looked increasingly dangerous. Liverpool tried to find a winner with half-chances in the last twenty minutes, but couldn't create enough chances against a stubborn resistance.<br><br> </li>
<li> Kevin Friend made another poor decision when he failed to give a penalty on the 80 minute mark after substitute <span>Jay Spearing</span> pushed Henderson in the area before the Liverpool captain could strike the ball at goal. Along with the Marković-Mills red card decision and numerous rough challenges that were ignored, this was a game to forget for the referee. A late Lucas Leiva shot was saved in added time, but that was it.<br><br> </li>
<li> <b>Full-time thoughts: </b>It's another game for an increasingly demanding schedule as Bolton earned a replay. Liverpool didn't play badly and did okay against a well-drilled side. Brendan Rodgers needs a striker that he can trust to score goals in the absence of Daniel Sturridge. It wasn't the result the Liverpool fans wanted, but after looking at today's games in the FA Cup, it could have been a lot worse.</li>
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<p align="justify">We'll be back shortly to take an in-depth look at everything that happened in today's game with the full recap. Until then, let us know your take on the ups and downs of the match in the comments, and if you haven't already, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.sbnation.com/account/setup?community_id=373">join the community on the Liverpool Offside,</a> where we'll have full coverage and lively in-game discussion for every match this season.</p>
https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/2015/1/24/7878993/liverpool-0-bolton-0-match-recapCStars2015-01-24T14:30:02+00:002015-01-24T14:30:02+00:00Matchday: Liverpool v. Bolton
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<p>Brendan Rodgers' side quickly transition from the League Cup semifinal to a fourth round FA Cup tie against Neil Lennon's Bolton Wanderers on Saturday evening at Anfield.</p> <p>After taking Chelsea to the brink earlier in the week but ultimately falling short of a first leg win in the Capital One Cup, Liverpool are back in action in the FA Cup against a Bolton side that's improved markedly under new boss Neil Lennon. The second leg at Stamford Bridge looms on Tuesday, but focus and another improved performance will be needed if they're going to advance to the fifth round of the world's oldest association football competition.</p>
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<p><strong>Full Preview:</strong> <a target="_blank" href="http://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/2015/1/23/7876007/liverpool-vs-bolton-wanderers-fa-cup-match-preview-team-news-ways-to-watch">Liverpool vs. Bolton</a></p>
<p><strong>Kickoff:</strong> 5:30PM GMT/12:30PM EST from Anfield</p>
<p><strong>Television:</strong> BT Sport 1 (UK & Ireland); Fox Sports 2 (USA-English); Fox Deportes (USA-Spanish); ESPN2 (Australia); beIN Sports 1 (Indonesia); 111 mio Sports 1 (Singapore)</p>
<p><strong>Online:</strong> FoxSoccer2Go, Fox Sports Go (USA)</p>
<p><strong>Full Listings:</strong> <a target="_blank" href="http://www.livesoccertv.com/match/1429698/liverpool-vs-bolton-wanderers/">LiveSoccerTV</a></p>
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<p align="center">Mignolet<br>Johnson Can Sakho<br>Manquillo Allen Henderson Enrique<br>Coutinho Lallana<br>Sterling</p>
<p>Bench: Ward, Lovren, Lambert, Lucas, Borini, Rossiter, Markovic</p>
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<p align="center">Bogdan<br>Moxey Mills Ream Dervite<br>Vela Danns Pratley Feeney<br>Gudjohnsen Heskey</p>
<p>Bench: Lonergan, McNaughton, Spearing, Hall, Trotter, Wheater, Wilkinson</p>
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<p>If you haven’t already, sign up for an SBNation account and <a target="_blank" href="http://www.sbnation.com/account/setup?community_id=373">join the conversation on the Liverpool Offside</a> where we'll have full coverage of every Liverpool match this season, breaking news, and tactical discussion.</p>
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https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/2015/1/24/7880645/liverpool-vs-bolton-2015-fa-cup-time-tv-schedule-live-online-streaming-Ed-2015-01-24T03:00:02+00:002015-01-24T03:00:02+00:00Pre-Bolton Overnight Open Thread
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<figcaption>"This must be how Big Andy feels when he stands beside me..." | Scott Barbour/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Five questions to pass the time as we wait for kick off from Anfield.</p> <p>1) Is it Dejan Lovren's time to shine in the FA Cup?</p>
<p>2) Steven Gerrard: do you play him in an FA Cup home tie or do you save him for the away leg at Chelsea next week?</p>
<p>3) How many and which Jordans make it into Liverpool's midfield?</p>
<p>4) Will a proper striker get the start, or will Brendan Rodgers choose a multitude of wingers and attacking midfielders instead?</p>
<p>5) Final score?</p>
<p>Bonus: What's your favourite palindrome?</p>
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https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/2015/1/24/7880125/pre-bolton-overnight-open-thread-liverpool-wee-jay-spearing-notlobStitch Invader2015-01-23T16:00:02+00:002015-01-23T16:00:02+00:00Tea and Crumpets with Lion of Vienna Suite
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<p>As part of its ongoing efforts to learn as little as possible while charging its meals, Tea & Crumpets heads out for a chat with Lion of Vienna Suite to celebrate the return of Jay Spearing to Anfield.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">Still suffering the fallout of Christmas bloat or not, it was time to drag the tired husk of Tea and Crumpets out for something of a special occasion: the return of Jay Spearing to Anfield. It was out of a sense of obligation as much as anything, then, that we toddled off for a light bite and a bit of a chat with Dennis Chase of <a href="http://lionofviennasuite.sbnation.com/" target="new">Lion of Vienna Suite</a>, settling on a calorie conscious roasted pigeon with warm foie gras and foie gras sorbet on a beetroot and cocoa puree, drizzled with sauce au Banyuls to accompany the afternoon’s conversation…</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><b>T&C:</b> <em>No club in English history has suffered through a more futile history than Bolton Wanderers. Having been part of the founding of the Football League back in 1888, they hold the record for having spent the most years in the top flight without having won the title. All told, The Trotters have had 72 chances to win it all and have come up short 72 times. One would think for a side in the top flight that often, dumb luck or blind chance or the alignment of the fullbacks would get them to at least one title. Instead, the closest Bolton have come is third, and even that high watermark was last achieved in 1925.</em></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><em>The last time Bolton won the FA Cup, meanwhile, was 1958, for which Tea and Crumpets can’t help but feel we should apologise because really, that all sounds quite horribly depressing and probably somebody should. Apologise for it. One would have to assume at this point, though, that the futility must be something of a selling point for many Wanderers supporters, generations of losing having shed the club of anyone even the slightest bit interested in winning and silverware and other such silliness, leaving behind a core of bitter, determined pessimism. Things are bad. They have always been bad. And they always will be. </em>In saecula saeculorum.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><em>So. Is there actually anything other than a core of bitter, determined pessimism keeping the average Bolton supporter around and not wandering off to learn crochet or build a column still?</em></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><b>LoVS:</b> I had a really good night out in Liverpool back in November. Went up with a few mates and had a great time. The hotel we stayed in speciallises in stag dos, hen parties, and the like, so each room has a theme. We could have stayed in the James Bond room. But the guy who made the reservation thought it would be funny if we stayed in the Miranda suite on the <em>Sex and the City</em> floor. Unbelievable. </p>
<p><img class="photo" src="https://cdn0.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/3332186/pastors12.0.jpg" title="“Bolton" wanderers c. href="https://cdn0.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/3332186/pastors12.0.jpg" align="right" width="325" hspace="20" vspace="5"></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><b>T&C:</b> <em>Sure. But having been founded by a reverend as Christ Church FC in 1874 before a dispute with the vicar forced them off the church grounds, is it tempting to blame some deity or other for more than a century of disappointment and struggle, be it the club’s 19th century inability to find a new home or the fortune gifted to historical rivals Manchester City in more recent years?</em></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><b>LoVS:</b> So on this night out in Liverpool we had a really good dinner at Brown's right in the city center. Our waitress recommended that we go up to Seel Street, an there we happened upon the Kazimier Garden, which was an absolutely brilliant bar. We were sat in an old wooden railcar drinking mulled wine when we got to talking to some local ladies. They found us to be quite witty and charming, so insisted that we continue on with them to the next venue. The night was really getting interesting.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><b>T&C:</b> <em>Renowned as the shortest player to pull on the shirt for both clubs, Liverpool fans had been pleased to see local boy Jay Spearing make a home for himself with the Wanderers, even if it only involved him wandering 30-odd miles from home and growing a beard in the hopes bartenders would stop asking for his ID. Still, there he is, off on his own, captain’s arm band and big boy pants and all grown up. Sort of. And also now about to head off to Watford, at least if the manager can get in a warm body or two to replace him with. Where did it all go wrong for Wee Jay? </em></p>
<p><img class="photo" src="https://cdn0.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/3332188/B8AKdblIYAIHes3.0.jpg" title="“Wee" jay spearing href="https://cdn0.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/3332188/B8AKdblIYAIHes3.0.jpg" align="left" width="300" hspace="20" vspace="5"></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><b>LoVS:</b> Neil Lennon was named manager of Bolton Wanderers in October, he watched Jay Spearing play about 15 minutes of football, realized he was crap, and permanently affixed the boy to the bench. Now where was I? Oh yes, the ladies insisted that we head up the street to Aloha Bar. A tiki bar in Liverpool? Who would have guessed.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><b>T&C:</b> <em>Quite. Well then. Speaking of column stills, that’s certainly an invention that completely revolutionised commercial spirt making. Before their invention, all spirits were distilled in pot stills, not much different from giant kettles made out of copper or even wood. They were inefficient and difficult to heat evenly, which meant a high risk of burning the distillate. They also had to be cooled and cleaned between batches, and produced a spirit with a relatively low alcohol content and higher levels of impurities. All told they were slow, temperamental, and the quality of the spirit produced could vary wildly from batch to batch.</em></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><em>By comparison, the column still—made up of at least two towers, with the contents heated by steam forced through internal coils—allowed for continuous use and consistent, even heating to a higher temperature, allowing the production of greater quantities of distillate at a higher alcohol content and with fewer impurities. No longer needing to disguise the impurities in the alcohol meant distillers no longer had to add sugar to gin, giving birth to the London dry style, while the consistency of the distillate produced by column stills led to the rise of cheap, reliable blended whiskies.</em></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><em>The pot still remains in use in the production of single malt Scotch, as well as any time the impurities introduced by an old pot still might be seen as integral to the finished product and consumers are willing to pay a premium for the more involved distilling process. In most distilling applications, though, it’s a relic—an affectation indulged by fools and romantics best left to the history books.</em></p>
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<span class="blog-links-star"><img src="http://cdn2.sbnation.com/assets/3608771/star.png"></span> More from Lion of Vienna Suite <span class="blog-links-star"><img src="http://cdn2.sbnation.com/assets/3608771/star.png"></span>
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<a href="http://lionofviennasuite.sbnation.com?utm_source=sbnation&utm_medium=bloglinks&utm_campaign=blogs">Bolton Wanderers blog Lion Of Vienna Suite</a>
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<p style="text-align: justify;"><b>LoVS:</b> The ladies then wanted to go to Salt Dog Slim's, but the bastards at the front door wouldn't let us in. They said they were closed, but there were clearly still people inside drinking. At this point we decided that the best course of action was to visit every open bar on Seel Street and have at least a drink at each one. We may have underestimated how many drinks that would involve, as things got a little blurry. AT 6 AM there was a kebab at a place called Mr. Chips on Bold Street, but I can't say much more than that for certain.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><b>T&C:</b> <em>As enlightening as that all is, perhaps we should get back to Neil Lennon and Jay Spearing? The manager clearly isn’t much of a fan of the player, but with Bolton adrift mid-table for the second year running, just how a big a fan of his is the average Bolton supporter? More than a decade in the top flight this century and, successes or not, 72 years in that top flight over the club’s history, makes it hard to believe could be happy with the recent fall from grace for the Wanderers, and so far at least Lennon doesn’t appear to be doing any better than Dougie Freedman. Does he get the same two years Freedman, Owen Coyle, and Gary Megson did before him, or will there be a Welsh manager in so Bolton can complete the British Isles set by this time next season?</em></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><b>LoVS:</b> Lennon has been decisively better than Freedman. Prior to Neil's arrival Bolton had taken only five points from 33 on offer and sat dead last in the table. Since Lennon came on board we have taken 28 points from 15 league matches and moved up to 15th, only 10 points off a playoff spot. </p>
<p><img class="photo" src="https://cdn0.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/3332190/Oton_Ivekovic__Smaknuce_Matije_Gupca__na_trgu_ispred_crkve_sv._Marka_u_Zagrebu_.0.jpg" title="“Peasant" revolt href="https://cdn0.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/3332190/Oton_Ivekovic__Smaknuce_Matije_Gupca__na_trgu_ispred_crkve_sv._Marka_u_Zagrebu_.0.jpg" align="left" width="300" hspace="20" vspace="5"></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><b>T&C:</b> <em>So if Lennon is largely seen as having a plan to move Bolton forward despite what has so far been a lack of results, can the same be said for owner Eddie Davies and chairman Phil Gartside? Both have overseen the club for more than a decade, and under their stewardship Bolton had their most successful spell since the early 60s. Both have also overseen skyrocketing debt that will make getting back into the Premier League a tough task, and having failed to keep the Wanderers in the top flight—and blowing through a great deal of money in the process—are there feelings amongst supporters that it’s time to force a change at the very top?</em></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><b>LoVS:</b> There is a section of Bolton support that are staunchly anti-Gartside and Davies, but they are pretty much staunchly anti-everything. They are frankly exhausting to talk to, but have been largely absent since Neil Lennon took over, since the success and entertaining play under the Northern Irishman has left them with little to complain about.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><b>T&C:</b> <em>Well. I suppose that about covers it. Or perhaps not. Either way, there’s nothing for it now but to wait for the match itself, and so Tea and Crumpets would like to thank Dennis and <a href="http://lionofviennasuite.sbnation.com/" target="new">Lion of Vienna Suite</a> for the time and conversation. And also to wish Wee Jay Spearing the best of luck, wherever he ends up.</em></p>
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https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/2015/1/23/7877095/pre-match-questions-fa-cup-liverpool-vs-bolton-lion-of-vienna-suiteNoel Chomyn2015-01-23T13:30:02+00:002015-01-23T13:30:02+00:00Preview: Liverpool v. Bolton
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<p>Another domestic cup fixture at Anfield, this time as Liverpool host Bolton Wanderers in the fourth round of the FA Cup.</p> <p>The performance against <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/">Chelsea</a> on Tuesday night was among <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/">Liverpool's</a> best on the season, and that it produced a draw should only be mildly disappointing. For all the huffing and puffing about Chelsea not being at their best and the hosts just hanging with it because their visitors had a tummy ache or something, it was a continuation of the progress Liverpool supporters have witnessed in the past month, and another indication that <span>Brendan Rodgers</span>' squad is headed in a far different direction than the one that saw them hit their nadir at Selhurst Park.</p>
<p>Liverpool will have to continue that progress in their fourth competition of the season tomorrow, as they face a Bolton squad that have lost just once in their last 12 matches. Neil Lennon took charge in mid-October with the Greater Manchester side in dire straits, but the former Celtic boss has overseen an impressive turnaround, including a 1-0 in the third round of the FA Cup over Wigan Athletic.</p>
<p>Former Liverpool midfielder Jay Spearing is now Bolton captain, and 37-year-old striker Emile Heskey could play a role as part of a dual reunion for sentimental favorites amongst the home supporters. Last time out against Sheffield Wednesday, in a 2-1 win that saw Lennon's side move up to 15th in the Championship, they went with Andy Lonergen in goal, Matthew Mills, Tim Ream, Dorian Dervite, and David Wheater across the back. Liam Feeney, Neil Danns, Darren Pratley, and Josh Vela in midfield, with Heskey and Craig Davies up front. Spearing started on the bench, with former Chelsea player Eidur Gudjohnsen making an appearance as a substitute late in the second half.</p>
<p>For Liverpool:</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Mignolet<br>Skrtel Lovren Sakho<br>Manquillo Rossiter Henderson Enrique<br>Sterling Lallana<br>Balotelli</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Liverpool are, for the sixth time in the last seven match previews, close to being injury free, with nearly all their longer-term absentees back in training. No new injuries as of yesterday, and Brendan Rodgers announced that <span>Mario Balotelli</span>, <span>Joe Allen</span>, and <span>Glen Johnson</span> are all available. <span>Daniel Sturridge</span>, Jon Flanagan, and <span>Brad Jones</span> remain out through the weekend. Jordon Ibe is cup-tied after featuring in the competition previously with Derby County.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Rodgers announced that he'll look at changes from the side he's selected over the past few weeks, but he also exercised some measure of caution in his statements pre-match. All signs point to another rest for <span>Steven Gerrard</span>, and it wouldn't be unexpected for a number of others to have an extra day to prepare for the crucial second leg at Chelsea on Tuesday. Liverpool cannot slight a Bolton side that's been excellent under Lennon, but at the same time, they should be capable of utilizing the quality of a squad nearing full fitness to earn the victory.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><span>Simon Mignolet</span> will retain his spot in goal, but if there's any opportunity to ease <span>Dejan Lovren</span> back into action over the next few weeks, this might be it. Emre Can--who's been operating to great effect as a the right-sided central defender in a back three over the past month--could use a rest ahead of Tuesday's return fixture at Stamford Bridge, with <span>Mamadou Sakho</span> and Martin Skrtel retaining their places as part of a three-man back line.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Lazar Markovic and Alberto Moreno could likewise use a night off, and <span>Javier Manquillo</span> and Jose Enrique provide ready-made substitutions while offering a more defensive approach. Rodgers made a point to mention that Jordan Rossiter would be involved, and with Lucas logging a significant number of minutes since his restoration to the side in late November, this would appear the time to pair the academy product with the surging vice-captain.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Up front there are myriad possibilities, though it appears that <span>Adam Lallana</span> is ready for minutes and locked-on for a start after missing the last few weeks through injury. He should operate just off a central striker with a partner on the opposite side, and for the sake of including Mario Balotelli, here's a guess that it will be <span>Raheem Sterling</span> joining Lallana in a supporting role in attack. There are plenty of combinations possible, though with Gerrard likely out of the picture it's limited to one of Sterling, Balotelli, <span>Fabio Borini</span>, or <span>Rickie Lambert</span> leading the line with two from Sterling, Lallana, and <span>Philippe Coutinho</span> in support.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><span>Kickoff is set for 5:30PM GMT/12:30PM EST on Saturday, with BT Sport 1 airing the match live in the UK and Fox Sports 2 carrying coverage in the US. Additional viewing options will also be available in tomorrow's matchday thread. Our coverage will continue with the overnight open thread tonight and carry into live coverage, team sheets an hour before kickoff, and post-match reaction. If you haven't already, sign up for an SBNation account and join us for it.</span></p>
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