EPL: Liverpool 3-1 Bolton Wanderers—Ranking the Liverpool Players

Liverpool romped to a 3-1 home victory over Bolton Wanderers on Saturday to cruise to the top of the early standings in the Premier League, ahead of victories for both Manchester City and Manchester United on the Sunday.

The Red's boss Kenny Dalglish named a strong starting eleven, which included pairing Dirk Kuyt up front with Luis Suarez, with Andy Carroll left on the bench.

From the first whistle to the last, Liverpool were by far the better side, dominating possession and creating any number of chances in a match which they really could have won by half time.

Jordan Henderson, Martin Skrtel and Charlie Adam were the goalscorers in the end, but Luis Suarez should have added at least one more. Kuyt, Downing and Daniel Agger also all went close.

In what was one of the most impressive all-round performances from the club since Kenny Dalglish took over, any number of players could have taken the Man of the Match award home; here we look at the rankings for each of the players in Red.

25: Pepe Reina, Goalkeeper

Considering he didn't really have very much to do during the 90 minutes, Reina had a good game, and was fairly influential.

He made a sharp, but routine, stop at his near post in the first half from a Martin Petrov volley, and dealt well with the crosses that Bolton did manage to get in the box.

His distribution was accurate and quick, and he helped set up Liverpool's third goal with one such direct pass—finding Suarez who in turn picked out Kuyt, before Adam slid home the ball.

Reina was beaten late on by Ivan Klasnic, but there was nothing he could do about it after the ball was diverted suddenly into the path of the Bolton forward, who had a simple tap-in.

Ranking: 8/10

Another excellent performance which deserved a clean sheet.

34: Martin Kelly, Right Back

It was a frustrating afternoon for Martin Kelly who, on his second league start of the season, picked up a hamstring strain just half an hour into the match.

He had made a couple of encouraging runs down the right flank before that, but his primary concern at this stage (and Dalglish's with Glen Johnson yet to recover from his own injury) will be that the hamstring injury is not a recurrence of the one which kept Kelly out from March until the end of last season.

Ranking: 6/10

Fingers crossed for a short time sidelined.

3: Jose Enrique, Left Back

Liverpool's newest recruit, Jose Enrique, gave a masterclass in the art of being an attacking full back at Anfield on Saturday.

Already buoyed by his impressive starts against Sunderland and Arsenal, Jose Enrique dragged his opposite number's Eagles and Steinsson all over the place as he linked superbly with Stewart Downing ahead of him.

He rampaged forward at every opportunity and, in the second half especially, sent over several impeccable crosses which should have led to further goalscoring chances—had the forwards gambled a little more.

In defence he was assured and competent; though he was never too troubled he also gave the air of being in complete control when needed, and seems to be forming a good understanding with Daniel Agger.

Ranking: 8/10

Hugely encouraging start to his Anfield career.

23: Jamie Carragher, Captain, Central Defence

An otherwise decent performance by the Liverpool vice-captain was significantly marred at the end of the game by a mistake which let Bolton in to score their consolation goal.

In trying to control the ball with his weaker foot, Carragher let the ball slide past him to Petrov and, though he recovered to make a saving tackle, the ball fell kindly to Ivan Klasnic who lashed home his third of the season.

Until then Carragher had been largely untroubled by either Klasnic or Kevin Davies, and along with his central defensive partner, Danny Agger, had kept the Bolton attack at bay both on the ground and in the air.

His distribution was generally good, save for a few over-hit balls, but at this stage of his career—and with new signings on the horizon in the form of Sebastian Coates—Carragher has to accept that any mistake will be scrutinised intensely by fans and media alike.

One mistake does not undo all the good work which came before as it, and the likelihood of 'Carra' making a similar one in the weeks ahead, are minimal. Nevertheless, it will be a source of irritation to himself (and Pepe Reina) that the Reds did not keep a clean sheet when they were so dominant for 90 minutes.

Ranking: 6/10

A generally solid game—would have been a 7 but for a late lack of concentration.

5: Daniel Agger, Central Defence

Daniel Agger has played in all three of Liverpool's league games to date, and against Bolton was his usual excellent self.

Some very good moments of quiet defending stopped any attacks before they really got started, while he completely dominated Klasnic and Davies aerially—something not many defenders can lay claim to.

One of his trademark surges from defence to attack with the ball at his feet got the crowd going, but his right foot shots do not match the power or accuracy of his left foot ones!

Ranking: 7/10

Another very good performance from the big Dane, who will be a huge player for Liverpool if he remains fit. So far, so good.

14: Jordan Henderson, Right Midfield

After dividing opinion for a couple of weeks, Henderson produced his best display yet in a Liverpool shirt. His performance was full of energy, inventiveness and capped with a fine left footed finish to open the scoring.

Playing out wide, with two hard-working forwards ahead of him, Henderson thrived with the movement and fluidity of the Liverpool system. He was able to come infield, or retain the team's width, as he saw fit.

There wasn't as much linking up with the full-back behind him as has been evident on the opposite flank, but he certainly seems to be developing an understanding with Dirk Kuyt.

Given a standing ovation by the Anfield crowd when he was replaced late on.

Ranking: 8/10

Hugely improved performance; this is what will be required on a regular basis.

21: Lucas Leiva, Central Midfield

The outstanding Lucas Leiva was the fulcrum of every Liverpool move in the first half—as he won back possession via a succession of tackles, interceptions, picking up loose balls and 50-50 headers.

Lucas was everywhere; playing centrally or covering either of the flanks made no difference to him, and no Bolton attacker escaped his menace.

His passing was beyond impeccable, and rarely did the ball leave his feet without finding another Red shirt.

In the first half especially, but for the full 90 in general, Bolton did not look like getting past Liverpool's defence purely because of the efforts of the Brazilian midfielder.

Ranking: 9/10

Could ask very little more from our holding midfielder. Magnificent display.

26: Charlie Adam, Central Midfield

After several years of seeing talented central midfielders go all season barely figuring on the score-sheet, Liverpool may have just gotten themselves one who will net double figures for the campaign.

Charlie Adam opened his account for the Reds, and added a second league assist into the bargain, during a virtuoso display which saw him afforded the space in the middle of the park to showcase the full range of his passing spectrum.

Long and short balls were pinged around to the likes of Suarez, Downing and Kuyt with unerring accuracy, and Adam revelled in picking up the ball often in deep areas after possession was won back by his partner Lucas.

Excellent off the ball movement ahead of him made his game easier, but Adam showed the talent to make those runs work.

Ranking: 8/10

Again a finest display in Red for a new boy who will be delighted to have gotten off the mark.

19: Stewart Downing, Left Midfield

Downing created havoc all game long down the left side for Liverpool, as his pace and dribbling was simply too much for Gretar Steinsson to deal with. He was unlucky not to score in the build-up to the Reds first goal, but on this evidence it won't be long before our new winger opens his account.

Delivery from the left in the second half was a joy to behold at times, and after another couple of weeks practice the Red forward line should be steaming in to bury those chances.

Excellent link-up with Jose Enrique, who was happy to overlap when Downing came inside, and some lovely one-touch football with Adam and Suarez was very pleasing on the eye.

Ranking: 8/10

Another superb performance from a player who will be a huge asset this season.

18: Dirk Kuyt, Forward

As usual, Kuyt ran himself into the ground for the team, and was a constant thorn in the Bolton backline. He never gave them a moment's rest, popping up in the channels as much as through the middle.

Had a great chance to score himself but couldn't get a touch onto Henderson's telling cross, but did claim two assists in setting up Henderson and Adam.

Wherever he plays, Kuyt gives everything for the cause, and his partnership with Suarez continues to impress. As mentioned previously, he also linked very well with Jordan Henderson at times; which is interesting since they, at times, will be competing for the same spot in the team.

Ranking: 8/10

Only a goal was missing from a very good performance.

7: Luis Suarez, Forward

Another exemplary performance from Liverpool's Uruguayan magician.

Suarez was involved from the first minute until he was substituted with around a quarter of an hour remaining, and had a hand in all three goals for the Reds. He sent over a delicious cross for Downing in the build up to Henderson's opener; helped win the corner which set up Skrtel's header and linked Reina's pass to Kuyt, who set up Adam's fine finish.

He should definitely have added a goal to himself, an impudent chip over the advancing Jaaskelainen landed on the roof of the net, but was also unlucky not to win at least one penalty when Zat Knight grabbed his ankles. He also should have had an indirect free-kick when the 'keeper bizarrely picked up a back pass, which wasn't given.

Suarez was a bundle of energy and tricks, he linked play all over the park in addition to being a menace behind the last line of Bolton defence.

Ranking: 9/10, Man of the Match

Fast running out of clever adjectives to describe Suarez performances. Can't wait to see how he links up with Steven Gerrard!

Substitutes: Martin Skrtel, Maxi Rodriguez and Andy Carroll

Martin Skrtel finally got to experience scoring for Liverpool in a game which the Reds won' after he netted the second goal of the game. However, after playing an hour in an unfamiliar right-back role, Skrtel deserves huge credit for his attitude and performance.

He attacked well and was perfectly solid in defence, and offered good support to Henderson ahead of him. A fine display and worthy of a 7/10.

Maxi and Carroll came on late in the game but neither really got into the match, which had slowed by then as the Reds already had a comfortable lead; a 6 suffices for each.

Substitutes not used: Alexander Doni, Jack Robinson, Jonjo Shelvey, Jay Spearing.

Kenny Dalglish, Manager

Dalglish selected his team and tactics to perfection against Bolton, and his instructions were carried out to the letter.

His big decision to drop Andy Carroll after scoring his first goal of the season paid dividends, as Suarez and Kuyt helped destroy the Trotters' backline.

Dalglish and his coaches have been implementing a certain style of play, and it was in full evidence at Anfield as the passing and movement, which has long been associated with the club, was displayed to maximum effectiveness.

There is a long way to go in the season yet, and a home win over Bolton is relatively routine and expected these days, but the best start to a season from Liverpool since 1994 has already been masterminded by King Kenny.

Kopites will be hopeful there is plenty of magic left in the legend's mind for the remainder of the season.

Ranking: 10/10

Who could argue with any decision which produced a performance like that one?