NOT EVEN an impressive performance from goalkeeper Ian Walker could spare Bolton Wanderers' reserves from an eighth straight league defeat.

The former England international made a handful of high quality saves on a rare starting appearance in Jimmy Phillips' second string line-up.

But with the rest of the Wanderers side, which also included senior men Nicky Hunt, Mikel Alonso and Blerim Dzemaili, turning in one of their poorest performances of a disappointing season, title hopefuls Liverpool strolled to a comfortable win.

All three of the Reds' goals came in the second half with Wanderers not helping their cause by conceding two penalties in the closing stages.

Hunt was at fault for the first as he pulled back Jordy Brouwer and Ray Putterill converted from the spot before Chris Basham completed an unhappy night by handling a Ryan Crowther cross and allowing Chris Eccles to send Walker the wrong way two minutes from the end.

Bolton had actually started the game reasonably well but despite one or two decent passes from Alonso they failed to create a worthwhile chance.

Liverpool winger Ryan Flynn gave a taste of things to come as he forced Walker to palm away a fierce shot and the Merseysiders then dominated the second half.

Within seconds of the re-start Walker had to turn away a Brouwer shot at full stretch but he was powerless to prevent former Barcelona youngster Daniel Pacheco firing Liverpool in front following a mistake by Basham.

Walker then saved well from Pacheco again and gathered a low shot from Jay Spearing before his defiance was ended by the spot-kicks.

Bolton did not manage an effort on target until the 84th-minute when Kevin Wolze forced David Martin to tip over his long-range shot on a forgettable night for most bar Walker and debutant full-back Matt Carlisle.

Bolton Reserves: Walker, Sinclair (Charlesworth 64), Carlisle, Dzemaili, Hunt, Basham, Sissons, Alonso, Obadeyi, Wolze, Woolfe (Smith 64). Substitutes: Lainton, Burns, Cassidy.

Liverpool Reserves: Martin, Kelly, Insua, Dominguez, Huth, Plessis, Flynn, Spearing, Brouwer (Eccles 83), Pacheco (Crowther 76), Putterill (Bruna 83).

Attendance: 294