Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has come out in defence of under-fire referee Rob Styles after their 2-0 win at Bolton.

Styles, who was involved in a debatable penalty decision against Wanderers at Manchester United earlier in the season, this time upset them by disallowing what would have been a crucial equaliser in the final seconds of the first half.

Styles penalised Kevin Nolan for a goalmouth incident involving Liverpool goalkeeper Jose Reina before Gary Cahill headed home a Gavin McCann corner.

Bolton players were furious and their fans vented their frustration at the official as he left the pitch at the interval.

Liverpool were ahead through a Dirk Kuyt header, the Dutchman having also hit the crossbar in a first period that the Anfield side dominated.

But Bolton felt that had Cahill's effort been allowed, they could well have turned things around after the break.

As it was, Steven Gerrard sent a diving header past Jussi Jaaskelainen after 73 minutes, and Liverpool had secured the points.

But Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez praised Styles for protecting his goalkeeper and insisted that goalkeepers have "priority" in the six-yard box.

He said: "The rules are very clear. They say that the six-yard box is for the 'keeper, if you have three players in front of him and he cannot go for the ball, then it is simple, it is a free-kick.

"It is clear. Sometimes you see five or six attacking players in the six-yard box, that is wrong. The rules say it is for the 'keeper, he has priority.

"If he has three players blocking him and he cannot do anything, he cannot go for the ball, it is a foul.

"The international rules are very clear. I always say the same, the first time I came here (to the Reebok) I said the same.

"Three players around the 'keeper is a free-kick. If he wants to go for the ball, he is being obstructed.

"Yes, those goals are given in England sometimes. But the international rules are for everybody, the referees know the rules, it has to be like this."

Styles has also upset Newcastle this season with a penalty decision against Habib Beye in the 2-2 draw with Manchester City. On that occasion, and after the Cristiano Ronaldo penalty at Old Trafford, Styles has apologised and admitted a mistake.