Tuesday 18 August 2015

Match Report: Liverpool 1-0 Bournemouth

Sports - Football - Premier League - Liverpool 1-0 Bournemouth

Christian Benteke's first goal for Liverpool on his debut at Anfield handed his side a controversial 1-0 winner against newly promoted Bournemouth.

Liverpool v Bournemouth

The Belgian striker netted the winner from close range on 26 minutes, but Eddie Howe's men had a valid reason to protest as Philippe Coutinho should have been flagged offside in the build-up to the goal.

Brendan Rodgers' men made it two unconvincing 1-0 wins out of two, becoming the fourth side after Manchester City, Manchester United and Leicester with 100% record after the second round of Premier League games.

The home side started with an unchanged side after their 1-0 win at Stoke last Sunday, but it was the Cherries who started the more promising, skipper Tommy Elphick netting a header, only to be disallowed for a foul on Dejan Lovren. Harsh from referee Craig Pawson.

Liverpool v BournemouthThe early threat seemed to give the Reds the much needed wake-up call, and they soon took over the ball and play, Coutinho especially omnipresent and always creating.

The Brazilian was heavily involved in Benteke's match winner for Liverpool, as under new rules for this season, he should have been flagged offside as he was affecting play, moving towards the ball in the build-up to the goal.

But it was not to be for the visitors, the flag stayed down, the goal, scoreline and result stood, 1-0.

Reds keeper Simon Mignolet was not really tested, but the Belgian keeper will still be happy with the second consecutive clean sheet after both Matt Ritchie and Eunan O'Kane both shot wide for Bournemouth in the second half.

Liverpool went closest to scoring again late on, Benteke hitting the bar and missing out on a second in the final seconds.

Three more points in the bag for the Reds, but no illusions about the display and much needed improvement and development still.

Images from the BBC website.

Liverpool Goals: 9 Benteke 26'.

Liverpool Team: 22 Mignolet; 12 Gomez (booked 75'), 6 Lovren, 37 Skrtel, 2 Clyne; 14 Henderson (c) (23 Can 52'), 7 Milner; 20 Lallana; 33 Ibe (11 Firmino 70'), 10 Coutinho (18 Moreno 81'); 9 Benteke. 4-2-1-2-1
Subs not used: 4 Toure, 27 Origi, 28 Ings, 34 Bogdan.

Bournemouth Team: 1 Borac; 11 Daniels, 3 Cook (booked 91'), 5 Elphick (c), 2 Francis; 10 Gradel (15 Smith 81'), 6 Surman, 32 O'Kane (booked 34') (4 Gosling 87'), 30 Ritchie (booked 76'); 17 King (24 Tomlin 61', booked 77'), 13 Wilson. 4-4-2
Subs not used: 7 Pugh, 14 Mings, 23 Federici, 25 Distin.

Liverpool-Bournemouth Match Stats:
Possession: 54.9%-45.1%
Shots: 18-13
On taget: 2-2
Off target: 11-6
Blocked: 5-5
Corners: 6-8
Offside: 1-0
Fouls: 11-18
Bookings: 1-4

Referee: Craig Pawson

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