On February 4, 2015, Bolton Wanderers hosted Liverpool at the Macron Stadium for the FA Cup Fourth Round Replay. After a dramatic match, Liverpool secured a late 2-1 victory, advancing to the next round of the competition. Philippe Coutinho’s stunning strike in the dying moments sealed the win for Liverpool.
Key Statistics and Analysis
- Scoreline and Goal Timings:
- Bolton Wanderers: 1 (Eidur Gudjohnsen 59′ (pen.))
- Liverpool: 2 (Raheem Sterling 86′, Philippe Coutinho 90+1′)
- Possession:
- Liverpool dominated possession with 69%, while Bolton had 31%. Liverpool’s control of the ball allowed them to push forward and maintain pressure, especially in the second half, as Bolton defended deep.
- Shots:
- Liverpool registered 24 shots, with 9 on target, reflecting their attacking dominance. Bolton managed 5 shots, with 3 on target, but they focused primarily on defense after taking the lead.
- Passing Accuracy:
- Liverpool had a passing accuracy of 85%, completing 594 passes out of 698 attempts. Bolton had a passing accuracy of 61%, completing 158 passes out of 260 attempts. Liverpool’s superior ball control and quick passing allowed them to create multiple chances and break down Bolton’s defensive setup late in the game.
- Defensive Statistics:
- Liverpool made 9 tackles compared to Bolton’s 22, as Bolton worked hard defensively to contain Liverpool’s attacking play. Despite their efforts, Bolton’s defense was eventually breached late in the match. Liverpool’s backline, led by Martin Škrtel and Emre Can, managed to contain Bolton’s limited attacking threat.
- Set Pieces:
- Bolton’s goal came in the 59th minute when Martin Škrtel fouled Zach Clough in the penalty area, leading to a spot-kick. Eidur Gudjohnsen converted the penalty, giving Bolton a 1-0 lead. Liverpool’s first goal came in the 86th minute when Emre Can’s lofted pass found Raheem Sterling, who volleyed it past Bolton goalkeeper Andy Lonergan. The winning goal came in stoppage time when Philippe Coutinho scored a stunning long-range strike that curled into the top corner, securing Liverpool’s comeback victory.
- Individual Performances:
- Philippe Coutinho was the standout performer for Liverpool, not only scoring the winning goal but also driving Liverpool’s attacks with his creativity and vision. Raheem Sterling was another key player, equalizing with a well-taken goal and constantly troubling Bolton’s defense with his pace. For Bolton, Eidur Gudjohnsen held his nerve to score the penalty, while goalkeeper Andy Lonergan made several key saves to keep Bolton in the game until the final moments.
- Tactical Overview:
- Liverpool, under Brendan Rodgers, played a 3-4-2-1 formation, focusing on controlling possession and attacking through the flanks with Sterling and Coutinho. They pressed high and pushed for an equalizer after going a goal down. Bolton, managed by Neil Lennon, used a 4-4-1-1 formation, setting up defensively and relying on counter-attacks and set pieces to threaten Liverpool’s goal.
- Disciplinary:
- The match saw four yellow cards, including a red card for Bolton’s Neil Danns in the 66th minute for a second bookable offense. Bolton’s Craig Davies, Matt Mills, and Eidur Gudjohnsen were also booked. Liverpool’s players remained disciplined, avoiding any bookings, and took advantage of Bolton’s numerical disadvantage in the closing stages.
- Corners and Offsides:
- Liverpool won 12 corners compared to Bolton’s 2, reflecting their sustained pressure in the final third. Bolton were caught offside twice, while Liverpool were caught offside once as they pushed forward in search of goals.
Summary
Liverpool’s 2-1 victory over Bolton Wanderers in the FA Cup Fourth Round Replay was a dramatic and hard-fought win. After falling behind to a penalty converted by Eidur Gudjohnsen, Liverpool pushed forward relentlessly and finally broke Bolton’s resistance with two late goals. Raheem Sterling’s 86th-minute equalizer gave Liverpool hope, and Philippe Coutinho’s stunning stoppage-time winner completed the comeback.
Bolton, despite taking the lead, struggled to maintain possession and were reduced to 10 men when Neil Danns was sent off. Their defensive effort kept them in the game for most of the match, but Liverpool’s quality eventually shone through in the final stages.
The win advanced Liverpool to the next round of the FA Cup, where their determination and resilience were on full display. Philippe Coutinho’s match-winning strike was the standout moment, capping off a memorable performance for the Brazilian playmaker.
