Christian Benteke scored his first Liverpool goal to see the Reds maintain their 100% start to the season with a second successive 1-0 win.
Christian Benteke netted a debut goal in front of the Kop in controversial fashion, with it being clear that Philippe Coutinho was in an offside position in the build-up.
It wasn’t exactly routine for Liverpool who had an early scare when Tommy Elphick headed in from a corner but the goal was harshly chalked off as the referee deemed Elphick to have fouled Dejan Lovren.
The Cherries were the better of the two sides in the early stages but Liverpool grew into the game with Phillipe Coutinho orchestrating their attacks. They took the lead on 26 minutes when Benteke steered in Jordan Henderson’s cross with a simple finish. Though the Belgian was clearly onside, Philippe Coutinho wasn’t. The Brazilian attempted to tap the ball in himself but he was in an offside position. Under the new rules, the goal should have been disallowed as he was interfering.
Liverpool should have doubled their lead not long after when Henderson’s strike from 20 yards out curled just over the bar. The England man would play little part there after. He was replaced by Emre Can early in the second half after going off with a knock.
Bournemouth can take a lot of heart from their performance in what was their first ever league visit to Anfield. They were always in the game and the pace of Max Gradel, Callum Wilson and Josh King caused Liverpool a few problems. Matt Ritchie was excellent in midfield and played arguably the pass of the season in the first half, switching a 45 yard pass to Charlie Daniels. He was unlucky not score and came close when he struck the outside of the post with a thunderous strike in the second half.
They threatened to get a late equaliser but it was Liverpool who came closest late on when Benteke spurned a glorious chance to put the game to bed but he miss the ball and it bounce up onto the crossbar as Liverpool climb to third and become the fourth team to take maximum points from their opening two games this season.
As for Bournemouth they remain 19th and without a goal this season however they can take heart from a good performance and its not at places like Anfield where there Premier League destiny will be decided.
