Contentious Goal Helps Liverpool Edge Past Bournemouth

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Liverpool survived against the Premier League new boys thanks to a controversial goal by Christian Benteke on his home debut, Sports Courant reported.

The big money striker who has arrived at Anfield from Aston Villa this summer for £32million struck from close range in the 26th minute, but a debate erupted over the position of Philippe Coutinho.

A Little while earlier, referee Craig Pawson disallowed the Cherries an early goal for a disputed foul by Tommy Elphick on Dejan Lovrenshly for a push in the area.

Bournemouth tried their best in the second half, hitting the post through Matt Ritchie, but Liverpool had the nerves to wrap-up second successive victory.

The Reds started in their traditional sluggish manner as the visitors provided early vibe to the game with Midfielder Max Gradel, Andrew Surman, Eunan O’Kane, strikers Callum Wilson and Josh all looking threatening.

Gradel almost broke clear but was cut off by a superb tackle from Nathaniel Clyne.

Liverpool showed some sign of life and vigor only when Benteke tapped in a Jordan Henderson cross in the 26th minute, sealing Liverpool’s second Premier League win in as many matches.

Philippe Coutinho was clearly offside and played the ball on the bounce before it reached Benteke, which appeared to influence the decision-making of Bournemouth goalkeeper Artur Boruc.

Under the new rules introduced for the 2015-16 season, Coutinho should have been flagged for offside, but the goal was allowed to stand.

Liverpool scaled-up their tempo after the Cherries lost momentum and Henderson clipped the top of the bar with a long-range shot and Coutinho fired just wide. Coutinho saw another effort veered just off target early in the second period.

Bournemouth tried to regain their lost tempo after Henderson, presumably injured, was taken off in the 52nd minute, but the Reds did just enough to deny them any equalizing opportunity.

The hosts almost grabbed a second in the closing moments when a deflected shot struck the bar.

Bournemouth felt hard done by but did not look overawed in their first Premier League away fixture unlike Liverpool, who struggled to carve out any clear-cut opportunities.

Brendan Rogers fielded an unchanged side from their opening-weekend victory at Stoke City, but it was Eddie Howe – who brought Max Gradel and O’Kane in for Marc Pugh and Dan Gosling.

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