Liverpool went back to the top of the Barclays Premier League with a comprehensive victory over Bolton Wanderers at Anfield.
Chelsea's victory earlier in the day put the London side in pole position until Robbie Keane's double and a goal from Albert Riera ensured the Reds went back to the head of the pack.
The win meant Liverpool have completed all of 2008 unbeaten at home in the league.
Missing Alvaro Arbeloa with a hamstring injury, manager Rafael Benitez re-jigged his back line, moving Jamie Carragher to right-back with Sami Hyypia slotting into the centre of defence.
second-guessed
Liverpool also restored Yossi Benayoun to midfield at the expense of Lucas, who was joined on the bench by fit-again Javier Mascherano, now recovered from an illness which meant he missed last weekend's match against Arsenal.
In-form Bolton - who have won three of their last five matches - made one change from the side that beat Portsmouth last weekend, bringing in battling midfielder Fabrice Muamba for Kevin Davies, who was on the bench.
Benitez sat in the directors' box after missing the match at the Emirates Stadium while recovering at home from a kidney stone operation. And he looked to have second-guessed Bolton manager Gary Megson.
In Liverpool's win at the Reebok earlier in the season, Steven Gerrard was man-marked by Fabrice Muamba.
But Gerrard was playing much deeper in an orthodox 4-4-2, away from the attentions of Muamba.
Bolton had the first chance when Kevin Nolan almost chipped Jose Reina in the opening minute, but Liverpool were soon having plenty of possession, with Riera and Hyypia both going close.
low drive
Then youngster Emiliano Insua forced a fine save from Jussi Jaaskelainen with a low drive from the edge of the box.
Riera opened the scoring when he poked in a Gerrard corner after 26 minutes.
All Megson's half-time words were wasted after 53 minutes when Robbie Keane grabbed the second. Gerrard fed a fine pass into his stride and the Irishman moved on to score past Jaaskelainen.
Five minutes later Keane hit his second and Liverpool's third.
Alonso broke from his own half, fed Benayoun on the right, with the wide man playing the ball straight into Keane's path to sidefoot home.
Liverpool were able to make a number of changes thanks to their comfortable lead - Riera, Gerrard and Dirk Kuyt all taken off with Sunday's trip to Newcastle United in mind.
