Liverpool went back to the top of the Barclays Premier League with a comprehensive victory over Bolton at Anfield.

Chelsea's victory earlier in the day put the London side in pole position until Robbie Keane's double and a goal from Albert Riera ensured the Reds went back to the head of the pack.

The win meant Liverpool have completed all of 2008 unbeaten at home in the league.

Missing Alvaro Arbeloa with a hamstring injury, manager Rafael Benitez re-jigged his back line, moving Jamie Carragher to right-back with Sami Hyypia slotting into the centre of defence.

Liverpool also restored Yossi Benayoun to midfield at the expense of Lucas, who was joined on the bench by fit-again Javier Mascherano, now recovered from an illness which meant he missed last weekend's game against Arsenal.

In-form Bolton - who have won three of their last five games - made one change from the side that beat Portsmouth last weekend, bringing in battling midfielder Fabrice Muamba for Kevin Davies, who was on the bench.

Benitez today sat in the directors' box after missing the game at the Emirates Stadium while recovering at home from a kidney stone operation. And he looked to have second-guessed Bolton boss Gary Megson.

In Liverpool's win at the Reebok earlier in the season, Steven Gerrard was man-marked by Muamba.

But Gerrard was playing much deeper in an orthodox 4-4-2, away from the attentions of Muamba.

Bolton had the first chance when Kevin Nolan almost chipped Jose Reina in the opening minute, but Liverpool were soon having plenty of possession, with Riera and Hyypia both going close.

Then youngster Emiliano Insua forced a fine save from Jussi Jaaskelainen with a low drive from the edge of the box.

Riera opened the scoring when he poked in a Gerrard corner after 26 minutes.

Trailing by that single goal at half time, Bolton sent on Davies for Jlloyd Samuel and Gretar Steinsson was cautioned within a minute of the break for a foul on Xabi Alonso.

The defender then flattened Riera seconds later, and referee Alan Wiley dished out a long lecture.

But all Megson's half-time words were wasted after 53 minutes when Keane grabbed the second. Gerrard fed a fine pass into his stride and the Irishman moved on to score past Jaaskelainen.

Agger was booked for a foul on Johan Elmander after 57 minutes, and 60 seconds later Keane hit his second and Liverpool's third.

Alonso broke from his own half, fed Benayoun on the right, with the wide man playing the ball straight into Keane's path to sidefoot home.

Bolton sent on Mustapha Riga and Ebi Smolarek for Matthew Taylor and Elmander after 66 minutes.

Liverpool were able to make a number of changes thanks to their comfortable lead - Riera, Gerrard and Dirk Kuyt all taken off with Sunday's trip to Newcastle in mind.

Teams:

Liverpool Reina, Carragher, Hyypia, Agger, Insua, Benayoun, Gerrard (Leiva Lucas 73), Alonso, Riera (El Zhar 69), Keane,Kuyt (Ngog 76).

Subs Not Used: Cavalieri, Babel, Mascherano, Darby.

Booked: Agger.

Goals: Riera 26, Keane 53, 58.

Bolton Jaaskelainen, Steinsson, Cahill, Andrew O'Brien, Samuel (Davies 46), Muamba, Nolan, McCann, Taylor (Riga 66),Gardner, Elmander (Smolarek 66).

Subs Not Used: Al Habsi, Shittu, Basham, Obadeyi.

Booked: Nolan, Steinsson, McCann.

Att: 43,548

Ref: Alan Wiley (Staffordshire).