Styles, who was involved in a debatable penalty decision against Wanderers in the Premier League clash 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 on Saturday.

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 Reebok Stadium 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.

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.

Bolton boss Gary Megson felt he was due another phone-call after the Cahill effort was ruled out.

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

Megson was nonplussed, saying: "We saw the TV pictures within a minute of it being disallowed and again at half-time. But our thoughts are that we did not see a huge amount wrong.

"If anyone is going to find an infringement - although it would have been harsh - it is that we should have had a penalty when Reina pushed Nolan in the back.

"There is nothing else that happens. Kevin does not do anything but stand his ground and there's nothing wrong with that. Also there was nothing wrong with the act of scoring from Gary Cahill.

"I wasn't surprised to see Rob Styles refereeing, it never occurred to me. He gave a ridiculous decision against us at Old Trafford, that was a mistake.

"We spoke on the phone on the Monday and we didn't make a lot of it, regardless of the Respect campaign.

"Now there has been another one. We seem to be on the wrong end of him making mistakes."

He added: "Have I heard of a rule that says goalkeepers have priority in the six-yard box? I have to say that one has passed me by.

"What is the priority, can you go and belt someone like Nolan was? I'm sure there is a priority if someone is fouled, but standing your ground like Kevin was is not a foul.

"If Nolan shoves the goalkeeper it is a free-kick, so if the goalkeeper does it then it should be the same punishment. But I am not expecting a phone call (from the referee)."

Benitez had a different view.

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."