EPL What We Learned – Liverpool 1 AFC Bournemouth 0

EPL What We Learned – Liverpool 1 AFC Bournemouth 0

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Liverpool recorded back-to-back 1-0 victories after a controversial Christian Benteke goal left AFC Bournemouth winless at Anfield and in the English Premier League on Tuesday.

The Premier League’s adjusted offside rule was at the centre of scrutiny, as Benteke netted Jordan Henderson’s cross at the back post from an onside position, however the ball travelled past an outstretched and offside Philippe Coutinho before reaching the Belgian.

Prior to Liverpool’s opener, Bournemouth centre-back Tommy Elphick seemed to have outmuscled Dejan Lovren and scored the Cherries’ first ever Premier League goal. However, referee Craig Pawson deemed the contact illegal and saved the Reds’ defensive frailties.

Confusion about rule change?

At the start of this season, the English Football Association (FA) altered the offside rule to include any player attempting to touch or make a movement towards the ball is to be judged offside. This change comes due to the sheer amount of goals last term in which this scenario played out.

Two weeks into the fresh Premier League roller coaster, and the rule was all but forgotten, as an offside Coutinho came within inches of touching the ball that eventually found the back of the net. The moment was fairly obvious, as the Brazilian was a good five to seven metres ahead of play, which brings up the question: Has the rule change been echoed down the line?

It has been a controversial couple matches for Harry Lennard (the linesman in question), as he was heavily involved in the decision to send off Chelsea shot-stopper Thibaut Courtois after contact with Swansea striker Bafetimbi Gomis.

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Inconsistency rears its ugly head

The Cherries started at Anfield as though they had done it for years, making Liverpool run at the Kop end in the first half, braved an encapsulating ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’, and then pummelled the Reds into submission, only to be sucker punched by a disallowed goal.

Referee Pawson ruled that Elphick was overly aggressive in his contest with Lovren, a joust that saw shirt tugging and jostling for dominance. Anywhere else on the pitch and it would have likely been judged a blatant foul, but as we know, there is some leniency shown by officials inside the penalty area. In saying that, it is acceptable to blow for a free kick for that type of behaviour provided it is enforced for the remainder of the match.

Unfortunately, that was not the case. Fast forward to a Liverpool corner later on. Martin Skrtel clearly grappled a Bournemouth player to the turf and Adam Lallana attempted to steal a Cherries jersey right off the back of an attacker. Where is the consistency? Referees need to set a precedent and either tolerate these tussles or penalise teams until players pursue a different avenue.

Brilliant Benteke

A weight of expectation has been lifted with the Belgian’s first Liverpool goal as he tries to win over the fans, in a performance that sets a foundation for the season ahead.

Benteke was boisterous and classy after his goal, and perhaps surprised some with his tireless work rate towards the back end of the match when Bournemouth launched a late surge. In his first match, he was starved of service, and early on Liverpool were giving him very little, but after taking the lead it was as though an optimum set of tactics was instilled by Brendan Rodgers.

Rather than playing the one-dimensional long ball over the top, Liverpool were patiently passing and probing. The link-up between Benteke and Coutinho was much smoother than it was against Stoke, while Lallana and Jordan Ibe also looked silky. Overall, it brought Benteke into the game and allowed him to flex his muscles and demonstrate some superb technical ability on the deck.

There was a fear Liverpool could fall into the trap of becoming too dependent on the long ball and playing direct, much like they did when Andy Carroll led the line. However their performance against the Cherries highlighted everything but that style of play.

Rags to Ritchie

Howe gave a Premier League start to Max Gradel after his inspirational efforts as a substitute against Aston Villa last week, although the spotlight was firmly on Matt Ritchie versus Liverpool, who caused nightmares for Joe Gomez and was pivotal in any Bournemouth barrage.

Ritchie was electric throughout, constantly tested a shaky Lovren with several crosses from the right-flank and the Scotsman did not let up, attacking Gomez repeatedly. The Cherries’ attacker almost provided the equaliser in the second stanza with a powerful volley that shaved the upright had Simon Mignolet counting his blessings.

Bournemouth have the individuals to do damage this season and although they are yet to table any Premier League points, it is difficult to compare them to the likes of West Bromwich Albion and Sunderland who are also lingering in the relegation zone early on.

What’s next?

Liverpool will face their first big test of the season when they travel to Emirates Stadium to play Arsenal who are coming off a 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace. Meanwhile, Bournemouth also have an away trip to the Boleyn Ground where they will take on West Ham United who sit in eighth place after their 2-1 home loss to Leicester City.

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