Liverpool Beats Bolton 3-1

Liverpool improved its chances of qualifying for next season’s Champions League by beating Bolton 3-1 Sunday in the English Premier League.Bolton goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen deflected a shot by Steven Gerrard into his own net in the first half and Ryan Babel and Fabio Aurelio scored in the second to give Liverpool 50 points.

Liverpool needed the victory to boost its chances of finishing in the top four and securing a spot in next season’s Champions League. And with an extra week to prepare for a match at Inter Milan in this season’s competition, manager Rafa Benitez fielded a strong team including Fernando Torres, Gerrard and Javier Mascherano.

Gerrard shot weakly toward goal in the 12th minute but his effort was heading wide until Jaaskelainen dived for it, causing the ball to flip back over his body and into the net. In the 60th, Dirk Kuyt hit the post off a cross by Jamie Carragher. The ball then rolled to Babel on the edge of the area and the Netherlands forward scored with a low shot. Aurelio stretched the lead 15 minutes later when he controlled the ball on his chest and volleyed past Jaaskelainen from the edge of the area.

Substitute Tamir Cohen, the son of former Liverpool player Avi Cohen, scored with a header to get a late goal back for Bolton, which has 25 points and is only above the relegation zone on goal difference.

Everton kept hold of fourth place by beating Portsmouth 3-1. Aiyegbeni Yakubu scored two goals and Tim Cahill added the other. Everton has 53 points, but Liverpool can move into fourth place on goal difference if it beats West Ham on Wednesday.(Source:Yahoo/AP)