And then there’s poor Daniel Agger.

The Dane will have been reluctant to show off those pearly whites after the game given that he lost one colliding into a post when covering a shot from Ricardo Gardner that the Jamaican had inadvertently hit wide anyway.

But then again, no centre-half in the British game worth his salt hasn’t lost the odd tooth – this was Bolton after all and at least it wasn’t caused by a flailing elbow.

If this is the year that number 19 comes to Anfield after a 19-year wait then the record book will record Saturday’s trip to the Reebok as a 2-0 victory and a seemingly routine win. Yet those bare facts hide the reality of this contest.

In a similar vein to their recent Premier League trip to White Hart Lane when they surrendered their unbeaten record, Liverpool carved open enough guilt-edged opportunities to have this game well won and will be relieved that their profligacy in front of goal did not cost them any points on this occasion.

Benitez’s players will also be relieved by the actions of referee Rob Styles, who was refereeing a Trotters game for the first time since he gave a controversial penalty against them at Old Trafford in September after Jlloyd Samuel had tackled Cristiano Ronaldo fairly.

The Hampshire official further incensed Wanderers on this occasion by chalking off a Gary Cahill equaliser in first-half stoppage time for a supposed foul on Pepe Reina ensuring that he remains below even Gary Megson in the Bolton popularity stakes.

After making wholesale changes for the midweek 4-2 defeat at Tottenham in the Carling Cup, Benitez made two alterations in personnel to the side that started the last Premier League outing a week earlier against West Bromwich Albion.

With Alvaro Arbeloa serving a one-match suspension after picking up five bookings, Sami Hyypia stepped into the back four with Carragher switching to right-back while Alonso replaced Yossi Benayoun in midfield.

There was also a further tactical switch from the 3-0 defeat of Tony Mowbray’s side though as Benitez switched from 4-4-2 to 4-5-1 as Dirk Kuyt moved from an orthodox striking role to the right wing leaving Keane on his own up front with Gerrard playing just behind him. Kuyt had already rattled Jussi Jaaskelainen’s left-hand post following a one-two with Gerrard before he opened the scoring in the 28th minute.

In a move which started down the left, Albert Riera saw his initial cross blocked by Matt Taylor only for Aurelio to swing in the rebound, finding Kuyt at the back post with the Dutchman nodding powerfully across goal into the Bolton net.

Just moments later Liverpool should have doubled their lead but Kuyt this time turning provider, Keane somehow missed from point blank range, scuffing a simple effort after a low ball across the box fell to his feet.