RAFAEL Benitez has re- covered from recent kidney stone surgery but Gary Megson left Anfield with a severe case of indigestion.

A plethora of Bolton managers have tried to win a league game at Anfield in the past 54 years.

But Megson's master plan, including resting Kevin Davies, proved no better than any blueprint that had gone before.

Indeed, his decision to leave Davies on the bench until half-time suggested Wanderers arrived on Merseyside with limited ambition.

He may have wanted to save his top scorer for tomorrow's Reebok derby against Wigan. But whether it's prudent to omit one of your hardest working players for one of the toughest 90 minutes of the season, is open to debate.

At least, with Liverpool coasting at 3-0, Megson saved the legs of Johan Elmander and Matty Taylor for the last 25 minutes.

He could do nothing though to protect Gary Cahill, a hobbling midfield passenger at the end of the game from a back strain.

And that could mean Danny Shittu gets a rare opportunity to face Steve Bruce's Latics.

However, skipper Kevin Nolan believes Cahill will be fit and denied Bolton came looking for a draw.

"We knew we couldn't defend for 90 minutes," insisted Nolan. "But if we could have got it to half-time we could have changed our game plan and had more of a go.

"But to concede that first goal off a set-piece was devastating. That meant we had to open up more and they killed us off within five minutes in the second half.

Solid

"But we didn't set off to get a 0-0 draw. We tried to make sure we were solid and worked our way into the game.

"The good thing now is we've got a home game against Wigan tomorrow and we must make sure we don't lose any more home games."

On Cahill, Nolan added: "Gary is a big lad and it's a massive game so I'm sure he'll want to play. I won't worry too much about him and when we assess him he'll be OK to play."

Liverpool's win, that protected an unbeaten home record in 2008, was their sixth in a row over wobbly Wanderers at Anfield.

They've now scored 10 times without reply in the three previous meetings.

Bolton, surprisingly, had the first chance of the game. But Nolan opted not to pass to unmarked Ricardo Gardner and the opportunity quickly passed.

That was as good as it got for Wanderers. The likes of Fulham, Stoke City, West Ham and Hull have all stopped the Reds winning at Anfield this season.

But once City reject Albert Riera netted his first goal since moving from Espanyol, the die was cast.

Keane showed why Benitez invested £20m in the Irishman's talents. He smashed home Steven Gerrard's pass after 53 minutes and finished off a move five minutes later that began with keeper Pepe Reina's underarm pass to Mikkel Alonso.

Wanderers also ended the afternoon with bookings for Nolan, Gavin McCann and Gretar Steinsson.

BOLTON: Jaasekelainen 7, Steinsson 7, A O'Brien 6, Cahill 7, Samuel 4, (6 Davies 46), Gardner 5, Muamba 4, McCann 6, Nolan 5, Taylor 5 (Riga 66), Elmander 5 (Smolarek 66).

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