Bolton v Liverpool preview

Liverpool have their backs against the wall as they make the short trip to Bolton on Saturday.

In a week packed with football, Monday began with the Reds gifting their 31-match unbeaten home record to Aston Villa.

As a result Rafael Benitez's outfit have already lost as many games this season as they did in the entire campaign last year and critics are already sharpening their journalistic knives to write off the Merseysiders' title ambitions.

Liverpool were panned for a lack of creativity against Villa - adding fuel to the 'they miss Xabi Alonso' notion - so expect nothing but an almighty response from the 2008/2009 runners-up at the Reebok this weekend.

Bolton's home ground represents quite the hunting ground for Reds boss Benitez, with the Spanish tactician aiming to mastermind his third consecutive victory in front of the Trotters faithful.

Albert Riera opened the scoring in a 3-0 Boxing Day pummelling the last time the pair met and the Spanish international could get the nod for his first starting berth of the season.

The tricky winger may replace Yossi Benayoun on the left, but the impressive Israeli could yet feature in the first XI in a more advanced role, just behind Fernando Torres.

Reds skipper Steven Gerrard, who endured a torrid night in front of the Kop on Monday, would drop back into midfield at the expense of the much-maligned Lucas Leiva to add ideas to what was considered a blunt middle four last time around.

Liverpool's defence, which has leaked goals from set-pieces yet again this term, could be bolstered with the addition of recent signing Sotirios Kyrgiakos.

The towering Greek came through 45-minutes of a Reds reserve match against Blackburn on Thursday, but the trip to Bolton may have come too soon for the 30-year-old and a place on the bench may be the likeliest outcome.

The visitors are still without the likes of Fabio Aurelio, Daniel Agger and Alberto Aquilani with the trio still recovering from knee, back and ankle injuries respectively.

Bolton, meanwhile, have yet to earn a point or even score a goal in the Premier League this season as Liverpool come to town.

Two 1-0 defeats against Sunderland and Hull means Gary Megson's side are also desperate to get their campaign underway.

The 1-0 Carling Cup victory against Tranmere may give the hosts confidence ahead of the league fixture, although a gulf of quality between the Merseyside duo is obvious and might just take that initial spring out of their step.

Mark Davies was the goalscorer against Rovers on Wednesday and the midfielder should be fit for Saturday's fixture despite picking up a hamstring injury, while Andy O'Brien is in contention after overcoming a groin complaint.

The Trotters still have fitness concerns over long-term casualties Ricardo Gardner and Joey O'Brien but Ricardo Vaz Te is back training with the first team and will be looking for a run-out in attack.

Gretar Steinsson was on the bench midweek and the full-back is in line to make his first appearance of the season and Jlloyd Samuel is set to retain his place in the Bolton defence ahead of new acquisition Paul Robinson.

Steinsson has overcome a virus while Samuel impressed at left-back during Wednesday's win and could make his first league start this term.

Bolton: Jaaskelainen, Samuel, Knight, Cahill, Steinsson, Taylor, Mark Davies, Davis, Muamba, Kevin Davies, Elmander.

Liverpool: Reina, Insua, Carragher, Skrtel, Johnson, Riera, Mascherano, Gerrard, Kuyt, Benayoun, Torres.