Liverpool survived a test of character at Bolton Wanderers to maintain their challenge at the top of the Barclays Premier League with a 2-0 win at the Reebok Stadium.
The disappointment of the Carling Cup defeat at Tottenham Hotspur was swept away by what eventually turned out to be a convincing victory.
Liverpool have never enjoyed Bolton's physical approach but they stuck to their gameplan and won with fine goals from Dirk Kuyt and Steven Gerrard.
Kuyt opened the scoring from Fabio Aurelio's cross, before Gary Cahill's header was ruled out by referee Rob Styles.
And despite some more nervous moments, the Reds eventually sealed victory when Gerrard headed in a cross from substitute Fernando Torres.
The visitors found out quickly that they would have to match Bolton's industry and willpower. Tackles by Gavin McCann and Fabrice Muamba on Steven Gerrard and Javier Mascherano showed that.
pinned back
But Liverpool soon had Bolton pinned back as they got defenders Hyypia, Agger and Carragher into dangerous wide positions.
Likewise Albert Riera, but he twice wasted excellent openings on the right with poor delivery early on.
Liverpool's patient build-up was starting to stretch Bolton. Mascherano and Gerrard both saw long shots go close before Dirk Kuyt saw an effort crash against the bar after 24 minutes from a Gerrard pass.
The Reds forged ahead when Aurelio crossed from the left after 29 minutes and Kuyt rose to send a looping header into the top corner for the lead.
Liverpool then started to power forward and Robbie Keane missed an open goal from two yards before Agger flashed a 25-yard effort just wide of the far post.
Bolton had an effort from Cahill disallowed seconds before the break when he headed in a corner, with referee Styles insisting that Reina had been fouled seconds earlier.
aerial pressure
Almost from the restart Bolton were awarded a string of free-kicks which allowed them to mount the sort of intense aerial pressure they excel at.
Gardner came on for Muamba at the break and when he broke clear on the left after 52 minutes he almost equalised, as Reina's rush from his line forced a shot into the side-netting. Agger, hurling himself towards the post, collided with the woodwork.
Liverpool then brought on Torres for Keane and from a right-wing cross from the Spanish striker, Gerrard almost got the second goal from a yard out.
Liverpool were hanging on to their lead as Bolton hammered away in search of an equaliser.
But the danger was always clear for the home side with Torres now on the pitch.
And after 73 minutes he created a superb second goal for Liverpool, clipping in a cross with the outside of his foot for Gerrard to send past Jaaskelainen with a diving header.
It could have been three for Liverpool in the closing stages, the Bolton goalkeeper saving superbly from Torres and then Xabi Alonso.
Torres could also have scored after 88 minutes but he struck the post from a lay-off by Lucas who sent a diving header narrowly wide of the gaping goal in stoppage-time.
