Bournemouth: Gallant Bournemouth await first points after

Christian Benteke expressed his delight at opening his account in a Liverpool shirt after netting the match-winner in a 1-0 win over Bournemouth.

Benteke met a cross at the far post for an easy tap-in in the 26th minute, although the goal was questionable as Philippe Coutinho had tried to reach the ball first from what was a clear offside position.

The assistant referee failed to raise his offside flag following the goal and it seemed as though they had forgotten about the new rules in place. Under this year’s offside rules or last, Liverpool’s offside player had influenced the play and made an attempt on the ball and it should have been whistled. “The goalkeeper was affected by the movement in front of him“.

“Ultimately, I think the performances and the general aspects of our play have been very, very good”.

“We were sitting down with referees before the start of the season and told the new rules”.

“It is a yard and a half and clearly impacting”. In my mind, I just said, ‘keep it going and you might be able to get the ball.’ It was the right decision and so I’m happy, and it’s a great feeling.

You can’t beat the decisions and the two big ones have cost us points.

Liverpool have adopted a more direct approach now that Benteke is in the team and Rodgers is hopeful that the £32.5 million (RM208 million) Belgium international’s muscularity and awareness will help solve the chronic goal-scoring problems that plagued his team last season.

Howe said: “It is hugely frustrating for us”.

Bournemouth can count themselves rather unfortunate not to leave Anfield with a point since Christian Benteke’s victor should have been disallowed, following the changes to the offside rule. He has been aggressive but if that is a foul, we will be having fouls every time a corner goes into the box.

Offside laws were tweaked prior to the start of the season to help clarify the issue of players occupying offside positions but being deemed inactive. “He was a real handful tonight; you saw all the facets of his game“, he said. Eddie Howe’s side opted to press high and were able to restrict Liverpool to long-range efforts for the majority of the first 45 minutes.

It capped a fine night’s work for Benteke, who displayed his strength and power to compete with the visiting defence, while also demonstrating touches of finesse to lay the ball off to his teammates.

Jordan Henderson faces an anxious wait ahead of Liverpool’s trip to Arsenal after being forced off against Bournemouth with a foot injury.

Either way, we all get a good chuckle at Milner’s expense.