Liverpool’s hopes of qualifying for the Champions League have suffered a fresh blow as they crashed to a 3-1 defeat at struggling Bolton.
Liverpool’s hopes of qualifying for the Champions League suffered a fresh blow on Saturday as they crashed to a 3-1 defeat at struggling Bolton.
Goals from Mark Davies, Nigel Reo-Coker and Gretar Steinsson secured a vital three points for Bolton, who moved out of the relegation zone for the first time this season following the win.
But the defeat saw Liverpool squander an opportunity to close the gap on fourth-placed Chelsea, and continued a miserable run of form for the Reds who have taken only six points from a possible 18 in their last six games.
Liverpool, whose lone goal came from Craig Bellamy, are now in seventh place, six points adrift of Chelsea.
Furious Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish accused his players of disrespecting Bolton.
“There is no-one at this club who doesn’t have respect for other people,” he said.
“If that was what the problem was, if they thought this game was not as important as the next one, then fine – but they won’t be here. The result is disappointing but the most disappointing thing was I don’t think they were ready to play the game.”
Bolton manager Owen Coyle later challenged his team to stay out of the relegation mire over the second half of the season.
“We know we’re capable of having a big second half of the season and that’s what we must do, we must kick on,” Coyle said.
Earlier, Fernando Torres’ three-month goal-drought continued as Chelsea also stumbled in a 0-0 draw at Premier League newsboys Norwich.
Chelsea enjoyed the better chances of a scrappy game but were left frustrated as striker Torres drew a blank yet again.
The draw left Chelsea in fourth place, five points behind third-placed Tottenham, who face leaders Manchester City at Eastlands on Sunday.
Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas later defended Torres, who has not scored for the club since October.
“He couldn’t find the back of the net but we are not just looking for that,” Villas-Boas said. “With a little bit more luck he will find the back of the net.”
Elsewhere on Saturday, Clint Dempsey struck a hat-trick as Fulham came from behind to defeat sixth-placed Newcastle 5-2 at Craven Cottage.
Danny Guthrie gave Newcastle the lead with a 25-yard thunderbolt just before half-time before Fulham came roaring back in the second half.
Danny Murphy levelled from the penalty spot after Davide Santon brought down Damien Duff and then two goals in six minutes from Dempsey made it 3-1.
Bobby Zamora then made it 4-1 from the penalty spot on 68 minutes as Newcastle’s challenge unravelled.
Hatem Ben Arfa scored a consolation goal for Newcastle before Dempsey completed his hat-trick.
Queens Park Rangers moved out of the relegation zone after goals from Heidar Helguson, Akos Buzsaky and Tommy Smith gave new manager Mark Hughes the first league victory of his reign with a 3-1 win over bottom club Wigan.
Meanwhile, Blackburn battled to a 1-1 draw against Everton at Goodison Park, David Goodwillie equalising for Rovers after Tim Cahill’s first goal for 13 months gave Everton the lead on 24 minutes.
A dramatic finale at the Britannia Stadium saw West Bromwich Albion snatch a 2-1 win over Stoke.
Sunderland’s resurgence under Martin O’Neill gathered pace with a 2-0 win over Swansea, Stephane Sessegnon scoring the opener after working a clever one-two with James McClean on 14 minutes.
Elsewhere, Robbie Keane made a triumphant return for Aston Villa, scoring twice in a 3-2 win over 10-man Wolves in his first match back since completing a loan move from MLS team Los Angeles Galaxy.
