Adam Bogdan was the star man for Bolton Wanderers as a string of saves kept Liverpool at bay at Anfield and earned the Championship outfit another crack at the Reds.
The Hungarian was in inspired form to prevent the seven-time FA Cup winners from progressing in front of their own fans.
And his heroics ensured both Liverpool and Bolton will be in the hat for Monday’s Fifth Round draw.
Liverpool 0-0 Bolton
The FA Cup
Fourth Round Proper
Saturday 24 January 2015
Anfield, Liverpool
Having seen a raft of upsets earlier in the afternoon, Bolton began as though they believed they could be another team to take the scalp of one of the ‘big boys’.
A recent run has seen them lose only once in the last 12, while Liverpool had also enjoyed a solid run of late, defeated only once in 15.
Though Bolton conceded the lion’s share of possession to the Reds, they defended well throughout and made it difficult for Raheem Sterling, Philippe Coutinho and Adam Lallana to open them up.
With Eidur Gudjohnsen and Emile Heskey – two experienced campaigners used to big games at Anfield – causing problems up front, Liverpool needed to remain focused and alert to any counter-attack.
Jordan Henderson had a sight at goal with just over ten minutes gone, but Bogdan was equal to it – the Trotters stopper making the first of many saves on a busy night on Merseyside.
Neil Danns tries to wriggle away from Jordan Henderson
Dean Moxey had the best chance for Bolton and was unlucky not to see his fine left-footed effort ripple the net.
A deep free-kick into the Liverpool box was only half-cleared by Emre Can to Moxey 25 yards out. His first-time half-volley was almost perfect but swerved narrowly away from the post.
Liverpool were having more chances to attack, but again Neil Lennon’s organised rearguard remained resolute.
Even when an intricate passing move involving Sterling and Coutinho resulted in the England man clipping a teasing ball over to the far post from the left, Manquillo headed back in, but Lallana couldn’t find the space for the shot.
Glen Johnson arriving on the edge of the area tried to finish off, but his effort from range was routine for Bogdan.
Bogdan was also equal to a Lallana effort from distance to keep things all square at the break.
Wanderers hearts would have been in their mouths when Liverpool substitute Lazar Markovic broke through and was caught my Matt Mills, sending the Serbian to the floor.
The had already been booked, but referee Kevin Friend was not interested.
Ex-Red Emile Heskey back in action at Anfield
Liverpool kept coming and the impressive visiting keeper was given no respite, diving out at the feet of Sterling to deny and saving at full-stretch from a Coutinho curler that looked destined for the bottom corner.
The Brazilian was also kept out by a double block from Bolton legs inside the area, and it looked only a matter of time before Rodgers’ side would be rewarded for their attacking endeavours.
Bolton still posed a threat and, though former Liverpool favourite Heskey had gone off to a standing Anfield ovation, Gudjohnsen was still on the prowl.
The ex-Chelsea man should have done better when presented with a chance on the edge of the box on the hour mark, but he screwed wide. Then moments later he hooked another effort high into the Anfield Road end.
It was Bogdan, though, who was kept the busiest. He saved superbly again from substitute Fabio Borini – the Italian’s angled shot was pushed away firmly.
Joe Allen and Eidur Gudjohnsen look for the ball
Lallana also had a clear-cut chance when Sterling found him with a cross from the left but he could only head over the bar from eight yards out.
Borini’s header from Jordan Henderson’s cross was better, but that also missed the target, arrowing wide with Bogdan beaten.
But Bogdan had the last word when Liverpool’s final attack ended with a fierce 20-yard drive from Lucas Leiva. The stopper remained firm, blocking the attempt to set up a replay at Macron Stadium.
Liverpool (3-4-2-1): 22 Simon Mignolet; 23 Emre Can, 2 Glen Johnson, 17 Mamadou Sakho; 19 Javier Manquillo, 24 Joe Allen, 14 Jordan Henderson, 3 José Enrique; 10 Philippe Coutinho, 20 Adam Lallana; 31 Raheem Sterling
Substitutes: 50 Lazar Markovic for Enrique ht, 29 Fabio Borini for Manquillo 67, 21 Lucas Leiva for Allen 67
Subs not used: 52 Danny Ward, 46 Jordan Rossiter, 9 Rickie Lambert, 6 Dejan Lovren
Manager: Brendan Rodgers
Bolton Wanderers (4-4-1-1): 1 Adam Bogdan; 14 Dorian Dervite, 5 Tim Ream, 4 Matt Mills, 3 Dean Moxey; 7 Liam Feeney, 25 Josh Vela, 18 Neil Danns, 21 Darren Pratley; 22 Eidur Gudjohnsen; 19 Emile Heskey
Substitutes: 35 Conor Wilkinson on for Heskey 56, 6 Jay Spearing on for Mills 73, 31 David Wheater for Moxey 84.
Subs not used: 17 Liam Trotter, 11 Robert Hall, 2 Kevin McNaughton, 24 Andy Lonergan
Manager: Neil Lennon
Referee: Kevin Friend
Attendance: 43,847
Highlights of the Fourth Round game at Anfield
