Liverpool survived a test of character at Bolton to maintain its challenge at the top of the Premier League in a 2-0 away win.
The disappointment of the Carling Cup defeat at Tottenham in midweek was swept away by what eventually turned out to be a convincing victory.
Liverpool has never enjoyed Bolton's physical approach but this time it stuck to the gameplan and won with fine goals from Dirk Kuyt and Steven Gerrard.
Kuyt opened the scoring from Fabio Aurelio's cross, before Gary Cahill's header was controversially ruled out by referee Rob Styles.
And despite some more nervous moments, the Reds eventually sealed victory when Gerrard headed in substitute Fernando Torres' cross.
Bolton recalled captain Kevin Nolan following suspension, with Ricardo Gardner dropping to the bench.
Liverpool decided against including 20-year-old Stephen Darby for his league debut at right-back and switched Jamie Carragher from the centre of defence. Sami Hyypia retained his place alongside Daniel Agger.
Torres, who was taken off after 55 minutes at White Hart Lane and criticised by manager Rafael Benitez for his display, was left on the bench as Liverpool made nine changes.
The visitors found out quickly that they would have to match Bolton's industry and willpower. Tackles by Gavin McCann and Fabrice Muamba on Steven Gerrard and Javier Mascherano showed that.
But Liverpool soon had Bolton pinned back, with only Kevin Davies up front as the Reds got defenders Hyypia, Agger and Carragher into dangerous wide positions.
Likewise Albert Riera, but he twice wasted excellent openings on the right with poor delivery early on.
Liverpool's patient build-up was starting to stretch Bolton. Mascherano and Gerrard both saw long shots go close before Dirk Kuyt saw an effort crash against the bar after 24 minutes from a Gerrard pass.
The Reds forged ahead when Aurelio crossed from the left after 29 minutes and Kuyt rose to send a looping header into the top corner for the lead.
Liverpool then started to power forward and somehow Robbie Keane managed to miss an open goal from two yards before Agger flashed a 25-yard effort just wide of the far post.
Bolton had an effort from Cahill disallowed seconds before the break when he headed in a corner, with referee Styles insisting that Reina had been fouled seconds earlier.
Styles was booed off by the home fans at the break and almost from the restart Bolton was awarded a string of free-kicks which allowed it to mount the sort of intense aerial pressure it excels at.
Gardner came on for Muamba at the break and when he broke clear on the left after 52 minutes he almost equalised, as Reina's rush from his line forced a shot into the side-netting. Agger, hurling himself towards the post, collided with the woodwork.
Liverpool then brought on Torres for Keane and from a right-wing cross from the Spanish striker, Gerrard almost got the second goal from a yard out.
Liverpool was hanging on to its lead as Bolton hammered away in search of an equaliser.
But the danger was always clear for the home side with Torres now on the pitch.
And after 73 minutes he created a superb second goal for Liverpool, clipping in a cross with the outside of his foot for Gerrard to send past Jaaskelainen with a diving header.
It could have been three for Liverpool in the closing stages, the Bolton goalkeeper saving superbly from Torres and then Xabi Alonso.
Torres could also have scored after 88 minutes but he struck the post from Lucas' lay-off.