Liverpool moved back to the top of the Premier League, for a few hours at least, with a 2-0 win over Bolton at the Reebok Stadium. Goals from Dirk Kuyt and Steven Gerrard earned Liverpool the points but, as was the case when they lost to Tottenham a fortnight ago, Rafael Benítez's side were nearly guilty of failing to make their dominance count.

The Liverpool manager had chosen to leave Fernando Torres on the bench as he continues his comeback from injury, and it initially seemed like the gamble would pay off as Liverpool dictated possession, with Xabi Alonso particularly impressive in centralmidfield.

Bolton manager Gary Megson had chosen to man-mark Gerrard with Fabrice Muamba, but Liverpool were managing to pose a threat, particularly in the wide areas through Kuyt and Albert Riera.

Javier Mascherano and Gerrard both went close with long-range efforts before Kuyt saw his powerful shot come back off the crossbar after 24 minutes following a lovely exchange of passes with Gerrard.

Kuyt went one better five minutes later and again it came after some delightful Liverpool passing which resulted in the Dutch international meeting a Fabio Aurelio cross with a powerful header that looped past Jussi Jaaskelainen in the Bolton goal.

It was just rewards for Liverpool's dominance, and they proceeded to turn on the style for the remainder of the half.

Robbie Keane should have made it two, but was guilty of one of the misses of season when he failed to connect properly with a Kuyt cross from three yards.

It nearly proved to be costly as Bolton equalised on the stroke of half-time through a Gary Cahill header, but referee Rob Styles controversially ruled that Kevin Nolan had fouled Pepe Reina as he attempted to reach the cross.

It was a let-off for Liverpool, and the home side began the second period in determined fashion, forcing a series of corners which again put the visiting keeper under pressure.

Johan Elmander saw his powerful volley saved by Reina, before Anthony Gardner missed Boltion's best opportunity when he lost his footing after rounding the Liverpool goalkeeper.

Gerrard missed a wonderful chance to put the game to rest when he failed to meet a Kuyt centre from an almost identical position to Keane's earlier miss.

Torres replaced the hapless Keane on the hour and he was immediately involved, helping create an opportunity for Gerrard after 69 minutes, but the Liverpool captain saw his curling shot from the edge of the area sail just wide of Jaaskelainen's post.

Liverpool finally doubled their lead moments later when Torres capitalised on some poor defending by Andy O'Brien and teased a cross into the area with the outside of his right-foot which Gerrard met with a diving header.

Torres should have put Liverpool out of sight on two occasions; first when he tried to round Jaaskelainen when put through by Gerrard, and then when he fired a cut-back from fellow substitute Lucas Leiva into the side-netting from eight yards.

Gardner had an opportunity to give Bolton some hope of a comeback but lobbed over from 12 yards, while Lucas missed a close-range header in the final minute.

Liverpool will be glad of the victory, which moves them to the top of the table until Chelsea take on West Brom in the evening kick-off, but once again will feel that they made harder work of the game than was necessary.