A fervent Liverpool managed to exact revenge for their defeat at the hands of Bolton in the Worthington Cup and gather three much-needed points.
The Christmas break seemed to have renewed the home side's energy and they opened with some fluid football and looked more solid in defence than Bolton.
Liverpool created the better chances in the first half with captain Steven Gerrard putting in several deft crosses towards Florent Sinama Pongolle, but it was a rare goal from defender Sami Hyypia which gave the Merseysiders the lead with 30 minutes gone.
A deflected corner fell at the feet of Harry Kewell and he floated in a left-footed cross which was met by a powerful header from the Finnish international.
However, despite continued pressure from the Reds, Bolton kept their composure and threatened the Liverpool goal.
The home side came out after the break with all guns blazing and within three minutes they had added to their advantage.
John Arne Riise left Bolton's defence bewildered as he swung the ball into the box which Sinama Pongolle managed to calmly convert with his head.
Wanderers were still reeling when Liverpool recorded a third goal in the 55th minute.
Danny Murphy's free-kick found an unmarked Vladimir Smicer and yet again it was a well-taken header which left a hopeless Jussi Jaaskelainen floundering in the goalmouth.
But Bolton managed to snatch a consolation goal to their travelling fans' delight in the 85th minute.
Liverpool scrappily bounced the ball to each other and failed to clear a cross into the box which fell to substitute Henrik Pedersen and he swivelled to find space and smack the ball into the back of the net.