Offside rule ‘c**k’ up costs Bournemouth

Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe was left confused after Christian Benteke’s goal gave Liverpool a 1-0 win at Anfield on Monday.

Liverpool visits Arsenal on Monday in its next game, and the Gunners will pose a much stiffer test of the Reds’ defensive mettle than previous opposition.

“That is the clearest example of the new rule you will see”.

“Ultimately, I think the performances and the general aspects of our play have been very, very good. Our goalkeeper is clearly impacted by the player in the middle of the goal, and he was offside by about a yard and a half”.

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. Tommys [Elphick] won the ball fairly for me. “He’s competing and wrestling, but if that’s a free kick we’re going to be seeing a free kick given every time there’s a corner”. Its two big decisions that have gone against us, he said. Referees’ chief Mike Riley says the global Football Association Board (IFAB), the sport’s law making body, introduced a change meaning anybody in an offside position making a play for the ball, being close to the ball or having an impact on an opponent would be deemed offside – even if they did not make contact. The atmosphere and the experience will make them better players. “I think last season it wasn’t until October when we got back-to-back wins, so to get that in the first two games is pleasing – but we still have a lot of work to do”.

“I must admit they were lively and unsafe, played well and had a couple of good chances”.

“It was special atmosphere, but we knew it would be tough”, said Milner.

The controversy came from the actions of Philippe Coutinho, who was clearly offside as he tried to get on the end of Henderson’s ball.

He added: “It’s hugely frustrating really, especially after the goal being disallowed, so that’s basically a two-goal swing against us”.

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers, under pressure to deliver this season, was happy to take the lucky breaks that came his side’s way.

Rodgers said: “I thought he was a real handful”.