Cup competitions are very much the order of the week for Liverpool, and they will be looking to progress to the fifth round of the FA Cup when they host Bolton Wanderers at Anfield this Saturday.

The headlines have already been written for the fairytale scenario - Steven Gerrard scoring the winning goal in the FA Cup final on his 35th birthday and last appearance for the club.

Yet the Reds cannot take their eye off the ball and wish themselves to Wembley, and this weekend's match is by no means an easy one for the Premier League outfit.

A League Cup semi-final second leg against Chelsea awaits on Tuesday, so Brendan Rodgers must decide if he wants to risk some of his key players on Saturday with a final potentially just 90 minutes away.

Liverpool will be confident that they can beat all comers right now, however, with last Tuesday's 1-1 draw against Chelsea making it nine matches unbeaten and only one loss in their last 15 outings.

The Reds have come through unscathed from their three meetings with lower-league clubs so far this season, beating Middlesbrough and Bournemouth in the League Cup and edging past AFC Wimbledon in the last round of this competition.

They have, however, drawn five of their last six games at Anfield, and Bolton would be happy with taking a replay back to the Macron Stadium.

Daniel Sturridge continues to edge towards his long-awaited return from injury but will not be fit in time for this weekend, while Brad Jones and John Flanagan also remain sidelined.

Jordon Ibe is cup-tied for tonight's game, but Liverpool have been boosted by the returns of Joe Allen, Glen Johnson and Mario Balotelli.

Rodgers has also confirmed that young midfielder Jordan Rossiter will feature, which could mean that Gerrard is rested.

Bolton are a side that have steadily improved under Neil Lennon, who has dragged the club away from danger and put them within three points of the top 10.

Indeed, the Trotters have only lost one of their last 12 matches in all competitions, a run of form that has also seen them keep an impressive six clean sheets.

Their best form has come at home, but just one defeat in their last five on the road points at improving fortunes away from home too.

Their away record in the FA Cup is impressive as well, with five wins and only one defeat in their last seven, something that could come in handy against a Liverpool side that has won their last six FA Cup games at Anfield.

Lennon will be without Lee Chung-yong and Craig Davies for the trip to Merseyside, while Marc Tierney, Mark Davies and Max Clayton are all long-term absentees.

Zach Clough is pushing for a first start since his winning goal over Wigan Athletic in the last round, however, while there could be an Anfield return for Emile Heskey, who scored 60 goals in 223 appearances for Liverpool.

Liverpool:

Form in FA Cup: W
Form in all competitions: WDWWWD

Possible starting lineup: Mignolet; Lovren, Skrtel, Sakho; Manquillo, Rossiter, Lucas, Enrique; Henderson, Lallana; Balotelli

Bolton:

Form in FA Cup: W
Form in all competitions: WWLWDW

Possible starting lineup: Lonergan; Dervite, Mills, Wheater, Ream; Feeney, Danns, Pratley, Vela; Clough, Heskey

Sports Mole says: 2-0

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