With Rafael Benitez still unfit to take the bench at Anfield, Sammy Lee once again stepped in as the manager looked on from the stands.
And the Reds boss' presence was enough to inspire his team to a comfortable victory over Gary Megson's side.
However, Liverpool were almost behind in the first three minutes. Bolton's record signing, Johan Elmander, picked up possession deep inside the Reds half and, after diverting the ball into Kevin Nolan's path, the Trotters captain's neat chip failed to deceive Pepe Reina.
Benitez's men were soon on the front foot and Keane came close to adding to his screamer at Arsenal last week.
A corner on the right-hand side from Reds skipper Steven Gerrard found its way to Spanish winger Albert Riera. The former Espanyol man hit a fierce drive, which Keane got a foot on, only to divert the ball over the crossbar.
Liverpool's relentless pressure continued and Emiliano Insua forced a decent save from Jussi Jaaskelainen in the 19th minute.
Another corner whipped in from Gerrard was headed out straight towards the young left-back, and his crisp, first-time volley stung the palms of the opposition goalkeeper before eventually being cleared.
The league leaders eventually broke the deadlock in the 26th minute and inevitably it came from a Gerrard corner.
The Liverpool captain delivered an inviting near post ball, and Albert Rieira arrived unmarked to stab home from close range.
Liverpool started the second half where they left off in the first and Keane doubled the home side's lead in the 53rd minute.
Gerrard set off on a trademark run through the middle before putting Keane clean through with an inch-perfect throughball.
The £20million striker didn't panic and smashed the ball past Jaaskelainen at his near post, much to the delight of the Anfield faithful.
Liverpool should have been down to ten men when Daniel Agger lunged in two-footed on Elmander, but the centre-half managed to escape with a booking.
And things went from bad to worse for Bolton when Keane grabbed his second of the game after a quick counter-attack in the 58th minute.
The impressive Xabi Alonso picked up possession in the centre circle and drove at Bolton's defence.
The Spain international then picked out Yossi Benayoun on the right and his neat cut-back found Keane, who slotted home superbly.
Liverpool threatened a rout and, in the 74th minute, Agger almost made it four, but his header drifted just wide of the post.
Bolton came close to pulling a goal back when substitute Ebi Smolarek was played in by Fabrice Muamba.
Unfortunately for Wanderers fans, the shot flew just wide of Reina's goal.
Keane almost grabbed his third in the final minute, but for a fine interception by Gretar Steinsson.
The game finished with Anfield's famous anthem You'll Never Walk Alone reverberating around the stadium after another comfortable win over Bolton for the Reds.