As he is still recovering from his kidney stones operation, Sammy Lee again got the chance to head up the bench and stand alongside the man who replaced him as Bolton manager, Gary Megson.

When that switch was made at the Reebok just over a year ago, Megson quickly became known as The Ginger Mourinho and yesterday it was easy to see why – he loves the sound of his voice.

But that’s where the similarities end and for all the Bolton manager’s screaming from the sidelines, there’s only so many ways you can say: “Keep 10 men behind the ball at all times.”

That was the only instruction this disappointing lot needed.

No surprise then to see that spoiling tactics were the order of the day and Sunday’s Premier League programme was almost ready to kick off by the time Jussi Jaaskelaininen got round to taking his first goal kick.

Time wasting after just two minutes is never a good sign.

And for Bolton, neither was Liverpool’s start.

Busy, decisive, determined and full of belief that this wouldn’t be another occasion when the home supporters were subjected to a painful wait to break down more unfancied opposition.

An early goal was therefore vital to ensure the early superiority wasn’t wasted and Riera seemed the most likely to get it.

Two early drives threatened, one being deflected over by Keane, the other badly needing a deflection off something given how woefully wide he dragged it.

Emiliano Insua almost enhanced his growing reputation early on, too, as he forced Jaaskealainien to block his volley direct from Gerrard’s corner.

And it was that outlet that provided the breakthrough on 26 minutes, the captain’s set-piece being met by Riera on the near post and he flicked the ball in for his third goal since joining from Espanyol.

With a foothold in the game, Liverpool did something they have rarely been able to do at Anfield recently – enjoy themselves.

Jamie Carragher certainly did, even if he was asked to fill the right-back slot in the absence of Alvaro Arbeloa with a hamstring injury.

It wasn’t difficult, however. Ricardo Gardner showed absolutely no intention of getting anywhere near the areas from which he should have scored twice in his side’s 2-0 defeat to Liverpool last month, and Carragher loved it. He even decided to go roaming like a kid rooting for presents on Christmas Eve, and he almost got the gift of a goal – from 30 yards with his left foot. But in true Boxing Day style, everyone sobered up and things gradually got back to normality.

Eight minutes into the second half, Gerrard’s superb vision sent Keane away and his left-footed drive ensured Jaskelainien was beaten at his near post for a second time.

Then just five minutes later, the lively Benayoun picked up Xabi Alonso’s pass and found himself in space on the right to pick out Keane for an easy tap-in to complete a spell that left Bolton dead and buried.

Megson had done his best to avoid that scenario by replacing Jlloyd Samuel with Kevin Davies at half-time but the fact that Johan Elmander’s late trickler was the closest they came to a goal says everything about the competition they provided.

For Liverpool’s part, the latter stages were all about substitutions and fixing one eye firmly on an unhelpful noon kick-off at Newcastle tomorrow.

But extend the lead to four points before Chelsea go to Fulham and then Benitez will be guaranteed to see in 2009 on top of the Premier League.

In terms of wishing him a Happy New Year? Better wait until May…