Bolton vs. Liverpool: Wake-Up Call for Reds to Spend After 3-1 Defeat

Liverpool put up their worst performance of the current campaign after soundly losing, 3-1, to a Bolton side languishing in the relegation zone from the offset of the season.

This was only Bolton's second win in the Reebok stadium this season and they made this match a particular one to remember. One cannot deny that the Trotters fully deserved the three points and could have even ended the match with a higher scoreline. Such was the prowess Owen Coyle's men showed in a windy day at the Reebok. 

I am not going to elaborate on why Liverpool lost this match. (Check out Karl Matchett's article on the reasons Liverpool lost this match)

What I am keen to discuss is what's after this for Kenny Dalglish?

Will he be making signings and ignoring what he himself said that Liverpool would not be active in this window or will he obey his words and stick with this squad of players that in my eyes are full of quality but not good enough to make the top four which is where the Reds are aiming to be come the end of the season.

What the Reds desperately need is a goal poacher and a creative midfielder.

As it stands now, Liverpool have a forward line of Luis Suarez, Andy Carroll, Dirk Kuyt and Craig Bellamy. None of this quartet is a regular goal scorer.

Suarez, despite his mesmerising abilities, is not the type of player that will nick in a goal out from nowhere.

Carroll looks a shadow of the player he was at Newcastle.

Kuyt was never appreciated among Reds fans for his goalscoring ability.

Bellamy has been excellent this season but with age catching up he would not be playing week in, week out.

Too often this season, crosses have been delivered to the box but no striker fully capitalises on them. Kenny Dalglish needs a 'fox-in-the-box' player. And if Liverpool still hope of making it to the top four, they better make a signing in the next 10 days.

Besides a poacher, Liverpool require some creativity in their side. Charlie Adam was the man Liverpool put their trust on during the summer but the Scot has been terribly inconsistent and was one of the worst performers in Bolton.

The only creative midfielder I see in the current team is Steven Gerrard but then again how much can you depend on a player who will be 32 this May. Jonjo Shelvey and Raheem Sterling are players for the future. Liverpool need to be in the Champions League next season.

In one way or another, this defeat to Bolton can be a blessing in disguise if Kenny sees the urgency to recruit a couple of players to challenge Chelsea and Arsenal for a Champions League spot.