Bolton Wanderers forced an FA Cup fourth-round replay courtesy of a goalless draw with Liverpool at Anfield this evening.
The Championship outfit held their own in the first half and came closest to opening the scoring through a powerful Dean Moxey effort that flew narrowly wide.
Liverpool had the better of proceedings after the break but couldn't find a way past a stubborn Bolton defence, with goalkeeper Adam Bogdan having a particularly good game.
Find out how all of the action unfolded courtesy of Sports Mole's live minute-by-minute action below.
Good afternoon! The FA Cup weekend is well underway and already we have seen one or two surprise results. The final match of the day sees Liverpool host Bolton Wanderers at Anfield looking to avoid an upset themselves and book their place in the fifth round of the competition. Let's start with a look at the home side...
Liverpool's season is slowly but surely beginning to look like less of a lost cause than it previously did. The Reds came so close to ending their long league title drought last season and, coupled with the loss of their two key strikers, Suarez and Sturridge, they very much suffered a hangover during the first half of the current campaign. However, the signs are that they have put that behind them now, and they will be full of confidence going into this one today.
Indeed, should they win this afternoon then they would be in the fifth round of the FA Cup, fairly well placed going into the second leg of their League Cup semi-final and very much still in the race for a Champions League spot. They are also among the favourites to win the Europa League, which would give them a Champions League berth even if they were to miss out on the top four, so there is plenty for them to salvage in the coming months. Sturridge is also edging ever closer to a return, so there is plenty to be optimistic about at the club right now.
Such has been Liverpool's upturn in form that Brendan Rodgers has claimed that his side will be able to challenge for the title again next season. Whether that comes to fruition or not remains to be seen, but their form over the last month or two has certainly been promising. They are unbeaten in nine matches in all competitions now, winning six of those. They have only lost one of their last 15 too, and that was away to high-flying rivals Manchester United.
Despite all that, there is still plenty of room for improvement, and Rodgers will know that his side are still some way off the heights they reached last season. Perhaps the biggest difference has been their diminished cutting edge in the final third, with Liverpool managing just 31 goals from their 22 league games this season. That is the lowest tally in the top eight of the table, and a paltry total compared to last season, when they ended the campaign with 101 goals to their name.
Their lack of cutting edge was evident once again on Tuesday when they welcomed Chelsea to Anfield. The hosts dominated the Premier League leaders at times, particularly in the second half, and were unfortunate to only come away with a draw. Sterling scored a magnificent solo goal, but the likes of Gerrard, Coutinho and Lallana were all thwarted. While it does Liverpool no good to look back at last season now, you'd have to think that Suarez and Sturridge would have been able to tuck at least a couple of those chances away. Even so, the all-round performance would have delighted Rodgers, and he will want to continue that momentum today.
The second leg of the League Cup awaits at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday, but for now Liverpool's full focus needs to be on overcoming another lower-league side in the FA Cup. They were drawn against AFC Wimbledon in the last round in a match that evoked memories of the famous 1988 cup final, and Steven Gerrard's brace helped negotiate a tricky fixture to win 2-1. Gerrard's birthday happens to be on FA Cup final day this year and, following his announcement that he will leave the club at the end of the season, there is potential for a fairytale ending. First, though, they must get beyond Bolton.
Rodgers will be happy that his side have been drawn at home for this one. Liverpool have been improving at Anfield as the season as gone on, and Tuesday's draw with Chelsea was the seventh match in a row that they have not been beaten in. One concern will be that they aren't winning many either, however, having drawn five of their last six outings in front of their own fans. It is a different story in the FA Cup, though, where Liverpool have won their last six home games.
The trip to Anfield could well be a daunting one for some of the Bolton players, then, but as a club they have an impressive FA Cup record on the road to counteract Liverpool's home form. They have only lost one of their last seven away games in this competition, and beat top-flight opposition in the form of Sunderland in last season's third round.
Just as Liverpool have been steadily improving over the last month or so, Bolton have also experienced an upturn in results. However, their change in fortunes was sparked by the arrival of Neil Lennon, who has been something of a revelation since replacing Dougie Freedman. Some questions were asked about how he might cope in the English leagues having been involved in many one-horse races at Celtic, but he has flourished so far and will fancy his chances to adding Liverpool's scalp to the many big ones he has garnered in his career.
Once deeply embroiled in a relegation battle, Lennon has dragged Bolton out of the bottom three and up the table, where they now sit 15th. Such has been their improvement that they will now be looking up the standings rather than over their shoulders, and the more optimistic fans may have noted that they are just 11 points off the playoff places. When you consider that they have quickly opened up a 10-point gap between themselves and the relegation zone, that deficit does not look insurmountable.
As is often the case when a new manager takes over a struggling team, Lennon has moved to tighten up his defence first and foremost. He has achieved that, keeping six clean sheets in their last 12 matches. Indeed, only one side outside the league's top seven has conceded fewer goals in the Championship this season, which suggests that they are capable of climbing even higher in the standings. The main concern will be at the other end, however, with only Sheffield Wednesday and Charlton have scored fewer outside the bottom five.
They are getting those goals in the right places, however, and that has helped them to a run of just one defeat in their last 12 outings in all competitions. That loss was a disappointing one at the hands of Huddersfield Town, but Lennon will see it as a minor blip on an otherwise magnificent record since taking over at the club. He has instilled a confidence in the side that could well be crucial in seeing them upset the odds against a big team like Liverpool this afternoon.
The most recent of those matches saw them take on Sheffield Wednesday, who themselves went into the game at Hillsborough in decent form. However, Bolton pulled off an impressive 2-1 victory courtesy of early goals from Feeney and Pratley. The result would have been particularly pleasing for Lennon as it came away from home, where the Trotters had such a dismal record earlier in the season. They lost eight of their first 10 games on the road, but have now been beaten just once in their last five. Their home form has been very impressive under Lennon, and if he can continue that recent improvement on the road then he is on to a winning formula.
Bolton reached this stage of the tournament courtesy of a 1-0 victory over local rivals Wigan Athletic in the third round, with young Zach Clough getting the only goal of the game on his debut for the club. They also reached the fourth round last season, but went crashing out at this stage of the competition courtesy of defeat to Cardiff City - then, of course, a Premier League side.
TEAM NEWS: The teams are in, and the big news is that Steven Gerrard has been rested, as expected. It is still a strong side named by Liverpool, however, with the likes of Sterling, Coutinho and Henderson all involved. Johnson and Allen are among those to come back into the team too. As for Bolton, they start veteran pair Gudjohnsen and Heskey up front, the latter of whom plays against his former club. Full team news for both sides coming right up...
LIVERPOOL STARTING XI: Mignolet; Johnson, Can, Sakho; Manquillo, Allen, Henderson, Enrique; Coutinho, Lallana; Sterling
LIVERPOOL SUBS: Ward, Lovren, Lambert, Lucas, Borini, Rossiter, Markovic
BOLTON STARTING XI: Bogdan; Moxey, Mills, Ream, Dervite; Vela, Danns, Pratley, Feeney; Gudjohnsen, Heskey
BOLTON SUBS: Lonergan, McNaughton, Spearing, Hall, Trotter, Wheater, Wilkinson
So, what can we make of those two sides? Well, starting with Liverpool, it is no surprise to see Gerrard rested for this match, despite his heroics to see his side through to this stage of the competition. The skipper was taken off early against Chelsea on Tuesday and Rodgers clearly wants him to be fresh for the return tie next week. He also has Allen back available to him after injury, so you can see the thinking behind the decision.
It is more of a surprise the players he hasn't rested really. There has been plenty of talk about burnout for Sterling this season, and this was the sort of game that he may have missed with such a big match on Tuesday, but his inclusion is a sign of respect for both Bolton and the FA Cup as a whole. He will once again play in a central attacking role, where he caused Chelsea so many problems in the second half in midweek.
In support, he will once again have Coutinho, who is starting to show some of his best form this season. He and Sterling linked up really well on Tuesday and will be hoping to rekindle that partnership today, with the Brazilian capable of threading the ball through for the speed of Sterling to race on to. Lallana is also in the two just behind the central striker and, having started to find some form before his recent injury, will be hopeful of staking a claim for a regular starting spot once again today.
At the back, there is a return for Glen Johnson from injury, and it will be interesting to see which role he takes up today. Rodgers is not expected to tamper with his formation but, with Manquillo also on the field, one of the usual full-backs will play in a more central defensive area here. Sakho and Can retain their places at the back, with Skrtel the man to make way following a fine performance against Chelsea.
As for Bolton, there really is only one place to start for them. Heskey and Gudjohnsen, who have a combined age of 73, partner each other up front looking to roll back the years. For Heskey in particular it will be a special occasion as he returns to the side where he enjoyed probably the best years of his career. He scored 60 goals in 223 appearances for Liverpool and is still fondly remembered on Merseyside.
It is fair to say that Liverpool's defence won't be troubled for pace against those two, but in terms of experience you won't find many more wily that Gudjohnsen and Heskey. Those behind them will have to do much of the running, however, and Feeney and Pratley will be particularly keen to get forward having both scored at the weekend. Width can often be key against teams with three defenders, so Bolton will be looking to exploit that today, especially with the presence of Heskey in the box.
That would also require the full-backs to get forward when possible, but they will be wary of leaving too much space behind considering how quickly Liverpool can break. I mentioned that Liverpool's defence won't have to worry about pace, but the opposite is true at the other end of the field. The likes of Mills and Ream will rarely have come up against a player with Sterling's speed, and all the while they will also need to be aware of Coutinho and Lallana pulling the strings in front of them.
PREDICTION: We're 10 minutes from kickoff at Anfield, which means that it is time for a prediction! It has been a day of upsets so far, but I don't expect Bolton to pull off another this afternoon. The Trotters have been much better under Lennon and, with him in the opposite dugout it is never going to be an easy game for Liverpool, but they too are full of confidence right now and, with a strong side out, I can see them winning 2-0.
Bolton actually won the last time these two teams met, with Davies, Reo-Coker and Steinsson all on the scoresheet in a 3-1 Premier League victory back in January 2012. Liverpool have had the better of this fixture in recent years, however, winning 10 in a row against the Trotters before that defeat at what is now the Macron Stadium. The last time they met at Anfield, Liverpool ran out 3-1 winners, with Henderson, Skrtel and Adam all on the scoresheet.
Curiously, though, Bolton have a superb record against the Reds when it comes to this competition. They have met eight times overall, with Bolton winning six of them. That includes the most recent meeting, which saw the Trotters run out 2-0 victors in 1993. Liverpool, meanwhile, have failed to score in three of their four home FA Cup matches against Bolton.
The Reds have also only managed two clean sheets in their last 17 FA Cup games, which will give Bolton confidence that they can at least score this afternoon. Liverpool, unsurprisingly, have the superior pedigree in this competition, though. They have lifted the trophy seven times, most recently in 2006, while Bolton won the last of their four titles way back in 1958, beating Manchester United's 'Busby Babes' in the final shortly after the Munich air disaster.
Should Bolton need any inspiration today, they need look no further than results from the 3pm kickoffs. League One side Bradford came back from two goals down to stun Chelsea 4-2 at Stamford Bridge and end Mourinho's quest for a quadruple in the process, while Middlesbrough beat Manchester City 2-0 at the Etihad. The tournament is wide open with two of the favourites being eliminated, and another could follow is Bolton can pull off an upset here.
KICKOFF: Liverpool get us underway here as they bid to reach the fifth round having seen the Premier League's top two already crash out today. Can they do it, or will Bolton pull off another shock?
It has been a promising start from Bolton, who have seen plenty of the ball in the opening minutes. Liverpool are looking to press high up the field, but so far Bolton have skipped away and kept the ball well.
Set pieces could be key for Bolton today, and their first corner causes problems for Liverpool. The ball bounces dangerously around the box before Can can eventually hack it clear following a bit of pinball.
It really has been a bright start from Bolton here. They are on the front foot at the moment, but need to be wary of the quick counter. Liverpool almost hit the visitors that way here, but Sterling's pass through skips away from Lallana and through to the keeper.
The possession so far is 58% in Bolton's favour, which is testament to how Bolton have started this match. They are really looking to get at the hosts, but Liverpool are now beginning to settle a little.
Once again a low Bolton corner is not cut out at the front post and arrives dangerously into the box. Liverpool can't get it fully clear once again and it falls to Mills on the edge of the box, but he doesn't strike the volley cleanly and it is blocked en route to the corner flag.
SAVE! The first save of the day comes from Bogdan, and it is a decent stop down to his left. The ball fell to Henderson around 30 yards from goal and he hit a good volley, but Bogdan would have been unhappy had he let that in.
YELLOW CARD! The first card of the match is shown to Mills, who desperately brought Sterling down as the youngster threatened to race away. No complaints there.
Better from Liverpool in the last few minutes as they begin to knock the ball about inside the Bolton half. Still no clear chances for either side, but the hosts looked to have settled now.
YELLOW CARD! The Six Nations haven't quite started yet, Vela! The Bolton midfielder is the second player in the book for a rugby tackle on Allen. Once again, a clear yellow card.
SAVE! Another effort for Bogdan to deal with, but this is fairly comfortable for the Bolton keeper. It was Coutinho who let fly from 25 yards this time, but his drilled effort was straight at the keeper.
Often when lower-league opposition are playing away to the likes of Liverpool they defend deep and are cautious about being drawn too far up the field. However, Bolton are quite happy to press the hosts high up the field right now, which is a brave move from Neil Lennon.
Lovely football from Lallana as he slides a reverse pass down the channel for Allen, who had previously given the ball to the England international. Allen's subsequent cross is easily cut out, but Liverpool's movement is beginning to pose a few problems.
There is a concern for Coutinho here. He seemed to tweak his hamstring earlier in the match and is still not moving freely at all. Rodgers won't want to risk him with Chelsea waiting on Tuesday, so we could see an early change here.
Lennon will be content with this opening 25 minutes. His side have limited Liverpool to only long-range efforts while also managing to threaten a couple of times themselves. Set pieces still look to be their most likely route of a goal right now, though.
Liverpool look to break quickly and Sterling leads the charge. He tries to turn Mills inside out in the area, but the Bolton defender deals with the danger well, not taking the dummy and getting a good solid challenge in that bounces back off Sterling for a goal kick.
Coutinho looks like he will carry on despite that slight hamstring tweak. He picks the ball up and glides past two players before trying to slide a pass through for Lallana that is cut out. Moments later he tries to lift a pass through for Coutinho that is just too heavy.
CHANCE! Once again Sterling races forward, with his pace causing problems. Mills stands up to the challenge again, but it looks as though Sterling has found the space for a shot on this occasions. However, his effort is blocked on the way through, which takes all the pace off it and makes it easy for Bogdan.
CLOSE! My word, what a goal this nearly was! The ball drops to Moxey on the edge of the box and he catches it absolutely perfectly to thunder a shot towards goal. However, it just swerves away at the final moment and whizzes past the post.
SAVE! Nice football from Liverpool in and around the Bolton box. They have a number of half chances to shoot but Bolton scramble to prevent the opportunity. The ball eventually arrives back to Johnson, who hits a left-footed effort towards goal that Bogdan has to save.
SAVE! Again Bogdan is called into action, but one more it is a shot from outside the area that the Bolton keeper holds on to. Coutinho and Lallana link up well before the latter has a go from 20 yards. He catches his shot well, but it is more or less straight at Bogdan.
Just over five minutes left of this first half and still Liverpool are yet to carve out a really clear chance. They have played some nice football but more often than not have had to go for goal from range, which has yielded very little so far.
Coutinho and Sterling look like the two most likely to open this Bolton door right now. The Brazilian playmaker has played some really smart passes to his striker, but Sterling has struggled to find him with the return pass so far. If they can start to connect a little better then it could be key tonight.
Wondering how Emile Heskey is doing on his return to Anfield? Well, in truth, he has been quiet so far. Bolton have played a number of long balls forward towards him, but he has been well dealt with by Sakho on the majority of occasions.
There will be a minimum of one minute added time at the end of this first half.
HALF TIME: Liverpool 0-0 Bolton Wanderers
Kevin Friend brings an end to the opening 45 minutes, and it is as you were at Anfield as Liverpool and Bolton remain goalless. It has been a competitive match so far, with both sides enjoying decent spells and threatening the opposition goal. However, there have been a lack of clear openings so far.
The closest we have come to a goal so far came from Bolton as Moxey let fly from the edge of the box with a thunderbolt of an effort. The ball dropped to the defender after Liverpool couldn't get it clear, and Moxey met it with a beauty of a strike that he caught perfectly. However, it just swerved at the vital moment and whizzed narrowly past the post.
Liverpool have had a number of shots from outside the box, but Bogdan has been equal to all of them. Henderson had arguably the best effort when he fired a half volley towards goal from 30 yards that forced Bogdan to get down and make the save in the bottom corner. Coutinho, Johnson and Lallana have all had long-range shots too, but all of them have been fairly comfortable for the Bolton keeper.
Sterling has got in behind the Bolton defence on a few occasions, but the visitors have recovered really well. Mills in particularly is having a fine game at the back, standing up to the challenge Sterling poses a number of times despite being left isolated. It is not a situation Lennon will want to see happening throughout the second half, though, so he could make a tactical switch to give his defenders more protection. You'd have to think that Sterling would get the better of the defender at least once if it continues this way.
The link-up play between Sterling and Coutinho has shown signs of promise, but the final ball is just lacking at the moment. The movement from Liverpool has been really good at times, and it feels like only a matter of time before they really click in the final third if the second half goes the same way as the first. That is not to say that Bolton have really struggled, but they will be cautious of allowing Liverpool too much room.
As for Bolton, that Moxey effort is by far the closest they have come so far. Heskey has tried to use his physical presence, but Sakho has stood up to that challenge well so far. Liverpool's defence has been fairly comfortable in this one, but Bolton do have an underlying threat.
KICKOFF: Bolton get us back underway, and there has been a change for Liverpool at the break. Enrique has been brought off for Lazar Markovic, who will slot straight in at left wing-back.
Bolton should have a free kick in a dangerous crossing position, but somehow the referee gives it the other way! Very strange decision as Pratley didn't seem to do anything wrong. Needless to say, Lennon is not happy.
And now, Kevin Friend makes another shocker of a decision to benefit Bolton! Liverpool take a quick free kick and Henderson pings a beauty of a ball out to Markovic. The sub takes it on his chest well and bursts away from Mills, who is the last man. The defender seems to trip Markovic, but the referee waves it away. That would have been a free kick and a second yellow.
At the other end, Bolton have a free kick in a threatening position around 30 yards from goal. Gudjohnsen lines it up, but he fires it a long way off target and into the Anfield Road end.
CHANCE! The first clear chance of the match falls to Liverpool, but Bogdan is there to thwart it. Coutinho plays a lovely pass around the defence with the outside of his boot and Sterling races on to it, but the Bolton keeper arrives at the same time and makes a brave stop.
BOLTON SUB: Anfield rises as one to give Emile Heskey a standing ovation, which is great to see. He is replaced by Conor Wilkinson.
Once again Sterling comes forward and twists and turns inside the box. He gets a shot away, but not for the first time it is blocked. Bolton's last-gasp defending has been very impressive at times today.
Another couple of blocks from the visitors. A low corner is drilled to Coutinho, who sees his first effort snuffed out before the ball arrives back to him. It is the same story with a second strike, however, as Bolton survive.
CHANCE! The Liverpool pressure continues to build! More good link-up play sees Sterling drop the ball back to Coutinho, who is denied by a really good save from Bogdan when trying to find the bottom corner. The ball rebounds to Moxey, who loses possession inside the box, but Manquillo can't put it in from close range.
Liverpool have started to turn the screw in the last 10 minutes or so, and Bolton need to weather the storm right now. It has been an even match on the whole so far, but the hosts' superior quality is beginning to tell.
CHANCE! As I say that, Bolton get their best chance of the match so far. Ream steps out from defence and plays a pass right across the front of the box. Can misses it, which allows it to fall to Gudjohnsen, but the veteran places his effort past the post.
Bolton are beginning to threaten more now as this match continues to open up! A ball is played in towards the front post and Wilkinson almost looks to have beaten Can to it, but the Liverpool man just about does enough.
CHANCE! Another chance for Bolton and Gudjohnsen! Some nice link-up play on the left results in the ball being pulled back for the Icelandic striker, but he can't keep his shot down when swinging a left leg at it.
With Liverpool's packed fixture schedule means that they will be desperate to avoid a replay in this tie. However, they do need to be wary of committing too many men forward as Bolton have hit back in the last five minutes or so.
LIVERPOOL SUBS: A couple of Liverpool changes as Lucas Leiva replaces Allen in midfield, while Fabio Borini comes on in place of Manquillo.
A Henderson free kick squirms all the way through to Johnson at the back post, and the defender has time and space to steady himself before shooting. However, yet again Mills is out there quickly and blocks the subsequent effort.
SAVE! Huge chance for Liverpool as they hit Bolton on the counter! Coutinho is the architect again, sliding a pass in for Borini, who opens his body and tries to curl an effort into the far corner. However, the Italian is denied by a fine save from Bogdan.
BOLTON SUB: A special moment for Spearing as he comes on against his former club, replacing captain Mills. Mills has been superb today, but should have been sent off.
YELLOW CARD! Dervite is the latest name in the book for a trip on Lallana that stopped a promising break.
Bolton have 15 minutes to hold out here, or perhaps even nick a late goal themselves. They have been forced to hold on a little at times in this second half, with Bogdan and those in front of him stopping Liverpool every time the hosts have threatened to break the deadlock.
A glimmer of a chance for Gudjohnsen as he looks to have been played in by a good flick-on, but the ball just seems to skip away from him and Sakho is there to put it behind for a corner.
Sterling has been much quieter since being moved out wide to accommodate Borini in the middle. Most of Liverpool's attacks right now are going through Coutinho and Markovic, who is still out on the left.
Bolton have defended their penalty area brilliantly tonight. Liverpool have played some nice football in and around the Bolton box, but almost every time they have tried to shoot there has been a white wall in front of them.
PENALTY SHOUT! The hosts want a penalty, and they have a case! It is nice link-up play from Liverpool as the ball is flicked into the path of Henderson, who has burst into the box. Spearing steps across Henderson's path, and Friend waves the penalty claims away. I've seen them given.
SHOT! Again Liverpool let fly from outside the box, but Lucas is one of the more unlikely players to find the breakthrough. He fires a poor effort well off target.
BOLTON SUB: Another change for the visitors here as Moxey comes off for Dave Wheater.
YELLOW CARD! A caution for Pratley, and he can't have any complaints. It was really bright play from Johnson as he skipped away from two defenders before being hacked down by the Bolton man. From the resulting free kick, the ball falls to Coutinho, who scuffs a looping effort into the arms of Bogdan.
CHANCE! Lovely football from Liverpool as Coutinho chips the ball through to Sterling, who returns the favour by finding the Brazilian. The cross finds Lallana in the middle, but it is just too high and he can't get any power on his header, looping it over the bar.
Really bright play from Markovic as he bursts forward and makes it through three white shirts into the box. His end product is lacking, however, as he pokes an attempted cross into the side-netting.
There will be a minimum of four minutes stoppage time at the end of this match.
CLOSE! Liverpool are so close to grabbing a late lead here! Henderson's delivery from a free kick is poor, but he gets a second chance and this time picks out Borini. The Italian guides a header towards the bottom corner, but his effort skims inches past the post.
CHANCE! Liverpool continue to pile the pressure on here. Sterling's shot bounces to Lallana at the back post, and he tees up Henderson. However, the stand-in skipper can't keep his volley down, putting it a long way off target.
SAVE! Almost a perfect ending to the match for Liverpool as the ball is squared to Lucas, who drills a fine effort straight at Bogdan.
FULL TIME: Liverpool 0-0 Bolton Wanderers
Bolton hang on for the draw that earns them a replay against Liverpool at the Macron Stadium. It was a very resilient display from the Trotters, who kept the Reds at bay time after time with a series of good blocks and fine saves. Liverpool will feel that they should have won the match, but they just couldn't find a way past Bogdan.
Right, that is all we have time for this evening! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for the FA Cup fourth-round clash between Liverpool and Bolton as the Trotters earn a replay with a battling goalless draw. I will leave you with our match report, and be sure to stick around from reaction from both camps. From me, though, it is goodbye for now!