A late Maxi Rodriguez goal was enough to hand Bolton Wanderers their first home defeat of the season.

Rodriguez scored the only goal of the game four minutes from time to drag Liverpool out of the relegation places and ease the pressure on manager Roy Hodgson.

Early on, Fernando Torres headed over from a Steven Gerrard corner before the Liverpool captain took advantage of Fabrice Muamba’s sloppy touch to send Torres racing away, but the Spain striker ran out of room after turning inside Gary Cahill.

But Liverpool looked nervous and ragged and Stuart Holden stung Pepe Reina’s palms with a first-time volley from Kevin Davies’ lay off.

Bolton might have had a penalty had referee Martin Atkinson seen Jamie Carragher bloke Matt Taylor’s cross with his hand.

After the break, and after Sotiros Kyrgiakos had gone close with a header, Bolton had another penalty appeal waved away when Davies went down under Martin Skrtel’s challenge.

At the other end, Rodriguez’ overhead kick had Jussi Jaaskelainen scrambling back towards his line before Davies headed Taylor’s cross inches wide for Bolton.

But it was Liverpool who struck the decisive blow after 84 minutes when Torres’ clever back heel found Rodriguez who poked the ball past Jaaskelainen. Tweet