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LIVERPOOL slumped to a humiliating defeat at the hands of relegation strugglers Bolton. Mark Davies put the home side ahead after just four minutes after some calamitous defending from the Reds. The Trotters then doubled their lead when Chris Eagles played in Nigel Reo-Coker, before Craig Bellamy raced clear to get the visitors back in the game.But just five minutes into the second half, Gretar Steinsson got on the end of David Wheater's flick to hammer a home a fierce first-time shot into the bottom corner. Liverpool never looked like getting anything from the game as the Reds woefully missed the chance to climb up to fifth. Kenny Dalglish will now need to lift his players ahead of their crucial Carling Cup semi-final second leg against Manchester City on Wednesday night. For Bolton it was just their second home win of what has been a wretched campaign. The result lifts Owen Coyle's men out of the relegation zone and the Trotters boss was understandably delighted. He said: "I thought we performed very well for a large period of the game at Old Trafford, after we'd gone to Everton and won, so we had been in good form. "Looking at our run of fixtures with Manchester United, Everton and Liverpool, a lot of people said we'd get no points but we've got six from nine. "We know there's room for improvement and that's what we must strive for. "But in the second half some of our football was at a high standard and we were worthy winners. "Sometimes you ride your luck but nothing could be further from the truth today." Dalglish brought Andy Carroll and Bellamy back into the starting line-up against a side they had beaten in their last 10 games. That record counted for nothing however as the home side took the lead after only four minutes. The Reds were all at sea as Davies latched on to a flick from David Ngog and he was left to run into the box unchallenged and prod the ball past Pepe Reina. Soon after, Eagles held off the challenge of Jose Enrique as he ran in from the touchline but his cross-shot rolled across the face of goal with no team-mate on hand to finish. Jordan Henderson then tested Bolton keeper Adam Bogdan with a 20-yard fizzer. And the Reds had a big penalty shout turned down when Charlie Adam's free-kick came off Carroll and hit Zat Knight on the hand. Spurred on by that let off, the Trotters went straight down the other end and doubled their lead. Eagles again came off the right touchline to good effect and his delicate chip over the Reds defence found Reo-Coker who buried his shot past Reina. A stunned Liverpool went on the attack and Bogdan saved from Bellamy after Carroll's through ball. But the Welshman made no mistake next time when he latched on to Carroll's flicked header from Reina's punt and he raced clear to clip the ball into the net. Reina batted away Martin Petrov's free-kick on the stroke of half-time while Bellamy and Reo-Coker got involved in a heated exchange as they went off for the break. Before Liverpool could even try and get back in the game, Bolton restored their two goal lead early on in the second half. Petrov's corner was headed back across goal by Wheater and Steinsson hammered a fine shot inside the post. Dalglish made a double substitution as Stewart Downing and Dirk Kuyt came on for Maxi Rodriguez and Charlie Adam. But the change had little effect, even though Daniel Agger went close with a long-range belter which clipped the top of the bar. It had been another disappointing display from Carroll and his night was summed up when he completely mishit Downing's pull-back. He is now without a goal since October 29. Bellamy had been Liverpool's liveliest player again and he had another shot easily saved by Bogdan. But Bolton were the team more likely to add to their tally as Petrov bent a shot just wide of the post while Eagles' strike from the edge of the area hit Martin Skrtel and deflected just wide. Bolton: Bogdan, Steinsson, Knight, Wheater, Ricketts, Eagles (Sanli 90), Reo-Coker, Muamba, Petrov, Mark Davies, Ngog (Kevin Davies 88). Subs Not Used: Lynch, Pratley, Boyata, O'Halloran, Riley. Goals: Mark Davies 4, Reo-Coker 29, Steinsson 50. Liverpool: Reina, Johnson, Skrtel, Agger, Jose Enrique, Maxi (Kuyt 64), Henderson, Adam (Downing 64), Bellamy, Gerrard, Carroll. Subs Not Used: Doni, Coates, Carragher, Shelvey, Kelly. Booked: Jose Enrique, Kuyt. Goals: Bellamy 37. Att: 26,854 Ref: Kevin Friend (Leicestershire)