Liverpool secured their second 1-0 win of the season tonight as they beat Bournemouth at Anfield thanks to a Christian Benteke goal.
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However, starting from an offside position, Philippe Coutinho had made an unsuccessful bid to connect with the ball before it reached Benteke, which appeared to influence the decision-making of Bournemouth goalkeeper Artur Boruc.
New rules state that a player in an offside position shall be penalised if he clearly attempts to play a ball which is close to him when his action impacts on an opponent or their ability to play the ball.
A clearly aggrieved Bournemouth manager said: “It is a clear offside under the new rules”. “They have a hard job, but I will speak to them privately”. I don’t think that’s a tough decision.
The controversial goal came moments later when newly appointed captain Jordan Henderson sent in a deep cross from the left flank.
Gary Neville feels it doesn’t matter if Liverpool lose to Arsenal next week, after Brendan Rodgers’ side picked up maximum points from their opening two fixtures, as per Sky Sports.
“I have made a call, I’m expecting a call back“.
Bournemouth fell to its second straight 1-0 loss to start the season after having an early goal ruled out, when Tommy Elphick was adjudged to have fouled Dejan Lovren before heading the ball into the net.
“He’s done great for us for the period of time he was on but it’s important that we get victories and it’s important that we have fit players on the field”.
“I think it’s critical he got off to a decent start, keeping two clean sheets, nothing majorly going wrong at this time”, the serial Premier League victor continued.
That goal threat was on display again in the closing stages, but Benteke could only hit the crossbar from Nathaniel Clyne’s cross.
He added: “It’s hugely frustrating really, especially after the goal being disallowed, so that’s basically a two-goal swing against us”. “It gives us a different dimension to our game, whilst looking to retain that philosophy to move the ball and get fluency”.
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This represents a subtle change from years past, when Coutinho would not have been offside. Hopefully it’ll also reinforce that we can go anywhere in the country and compete.
