Brendan Rodgers: ‘Jordan Henderson struggling with foot injury’

Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe has blasted the referees following their 1-0 loss to Liverpool on Monday, claiming that Christian Benteke’s goal should have been ruled out for offside, Daily Star reports.

Reds midfielder Philippe Coutinho looked to have influenced play whilst in an offside position, and while Benteke was clearly onside, the goal should not have stood under the Premier League’s new offside laws.

“In my time here, that has never really happened, and the ball has come in and maybe been cleared out, but because of his physicality and contact, he keeps the ball alive in a unsafe area of the field”. The problem is tonight if that’s not offside then that’s the clearest example you’ll see of the new rule for me.

“I haven’t seen the replay but it is a goal”, he said.

The Belgium worldwide scored on his first appearance at Anfield after the towering striker prodded Jordan Henderson’s cross past Bournemouth goalkeeper Artur Boruc in the first half.

“I thought he was a real handful”, Rodgers said in a news conference. “I would like to speak to the officials about this”. “I want feedback on the decisions”. “The offside ruling has changed again so it adds complication, at the managers’ meeting is was said the advantage would be with the attacker, so thankfully the goal counted and we’re happy to get the win“.

Following the victory, Benteke spoke of his joy at scoring his first goal in front of the Kop, saying it’s moments like that which made him decide to join the club. Defensively we were very good.

Rodgers is looking to play a consistent side this season and Balotelli is clearly not part of his plans.

“It’s always good to get three points, I’m sure the performances will improve and get better as the weeks go on”.

The strike was a controversial one, as there was a suggestion that it should have been ruled out due to offside. His touch is great for a big guy, he is strong, he brings others into the game, and he showed he’s a goalscorer.

“We expected that. We expected a really tough game”.

The Cherries pressed hard for an equaliser but to no avail, and Howe feels his side were out of luck in their first ever Premier League game against the Merseyside outfit.