While Liverpool spent Christmas day on top of the league, they kicked off on Boxing Day knowing that they must win to keep that position and prolong the feel-good factor that only such position can render. With such imperative ahead of them, the redmen forgot the previous three consecutive draws and just embarked on a journey towards the Bolton goal that gave the match a one-way traffic scenario that admittedly is usually more seen at Anfield by the turnstiles before kick-off rather than on the pitch during the match. And once again, contrary to what was the case in the previous three matches and in a one-way traffic situation, the play was flowing and dynamic, with the whole width of Anfield being used purposefully.

The deadlock duly did not take long to be broken. Twenty-six minutes since kick-off, Steven Gerrard directed a second successive corner towards Albert Riera, whereby the Spaniard met through his stretched left leg to beat the opposing keeper on the first post. Riera was already showing the better side of himself on the day, as he was stretching the Bolton back four time and again. On the other flank, Yossi Benayoun only replicated the Spaniard’s deeds, sometimes apart from the goal, being even more direct as he was cutting inside their penalty area with ease that his skill can afford him.

The confidence oozing into the reds seems to have finally rubbed on Robbie Keane, who for the first time this season, he has now scored in back to back matches. Steven Gerrard picked him up with a sublime pass, but he still was left with work to do. Keane only obliged though as he raced into the penalty area and just smashed the ball into the only place that strikers mind of. Five minutes later, Liverpool were given the rare task of defending a set-piece, but the rarity of the task was soon transformed into the old Liverpool adage of pass and move with the Irishman finishing off. Pepe Reina, who was probably dying of boredom since then, quickly picked up the pieces of the aforementioned and rolled towards Xabi Alonso. The latter ran most of the pitch with Benayoun and Keane zigzagging before him. Alonso played the former in, only to pass to Keane to just slot in his second of the day. The monkey should now be finally off his back and if yesterday was any sign of anything, it’d be more plausible to see him walking one in the park amiably rather than fighting it off his shoulders.

Bolton admitted their situation as a junction, while Liverpool continued with the confidence of a driver that has done the same route for years and years. Gears were changed and while on the straight, the driving abilities of Nabil El Zhar, Lucas Leiva and David N’Gog were given a try out.

Being Boxing Day, the Kop was in full festive spirit but there was no time for Christmas carols, as the cry of ‘top of the league’ echoed around Anfield with authority.