Bolton v Liverpool: Sturridge in no mood for mercy at former home

“He (Daniel Sturridge) did more in 20 minutes than Balotelli (Mario) has done all season,” was Alan Shearer’s quip on Match of the Day after the Liverpool striker marked his long-awaited return to action with a first Premier League goal since August.

Shearer wasn’t far away from the truth, as Sturridge’s instant control and deadly finish to end West Ham hopes of a result, was a million miles away from anything the Italian has produced in a red shirt.

Unfortunately for Liverpool’s next opponents Bolton, the man who once lit up the Reebok Stadium on loan from Chelsea, is likely to continue his rehabilitation with plenty of minutes against the Trotters in Wednesday‘s FA Cup fourth-round replay.

Having weathered a 24-shot storm in a gritty defensive display at Anfield to earn the rematch, the Trotters’ odds of 5/1 for the 90-minute win could arguably have been longer, even without Sturridge back in the reckoning.

However, now the England striker is back to provide Liverpool the cutting edge which could have seen this tie sewn up with room to spare on Merseyside, 4/7 on the Reds to sail through before extra-time looks plump enough.

Without knowing whether or not Studger will start, backing the Liverpool man to act decisively in the wincast market at 17/10 looks the covering bet of choice.

Any punters privy to the team news nearer the time may wish to ignore such advice and back Liverpool’s 25-goal man of last season to break the deadlock at 7/2.

To Neil Lennon’s credit his Bolton side were excellent in their stand at Anfield without registering a shot on target, but lacking the Capital One Cup distraction, Brendan Rodgers’ men look good value for a sixth away win in seven games at the Trotters expense.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.

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