Liverpool vs. Bournemouth: Score and Reaction from 2015 Premier League Match

Bournemouth weren't meek in their first Premier League match against Liverpool. They weren't intimidated by the mystique of Anfield in just their third trip to the famed ground, nor overmatched by the skill of the Reds.

They might argue they were a bit unlucky, however.

Liverpool escaped a spirited effort from visiting Bournemouth with a 1-0 victory, as Christian Benteke's controversial 26th-minute goal was the difference for the Reds. Philippe Coutinho was clearly offside on the game-winning goal but was not called for the infraction.

Jonathan Northcroft of the Times didn't feel it was the most convincing performance by the Reds:

Still, Liverpool have yet to give up a goal during the campaign and remained sturdy despite the onslaught from Bournemouth, holding 55 percent possession and outshooting the visitors 18-13 (2-2 on goal), though Bournemouth earned more corners (8-6).

Bournemouth can certainly make the case that two huge calls went against them in the first half, however.

In the fifth minute, Tommy Elphick scored on a header off a corner, but the official called him for a foul on Dejan Lovren. Elphick undoubtedly made contact with Lovren as he leapt for the ball, but replays suggested it was perhaps a soft foul.

Free agent Joey Barton thought the goal should have stood:

"

Thought #afcb were unlucky not to take the lead. Elphick's goal was fine. That's what goes on in when defending set plays these days.

— Joseph Barton (@Joey7Barton) August 17, 2015"

Football pundit Gary Lineker agreed:

Indeed, Bournemouth were lively in the first half and did not seem overwhelmed by a road fixture at Anfield. But a most questionable decision gave them a 1-0 deficit.

Liverpool earned a corner in the 26th minute and played it short. The ball was passed back to Jordan Henderson, who swung a cross into the box. Coutinho was clearly offside when the ball was played and made a lunge for it, though he missed, before Benteke was able to redirect into the net from the back post.

Clint Hughes/Associated Press

While Benteke was onside and Coutinho never touched the ball, the Brazilian not only made a play on the ball but also affected goalkeeper Artur Boruc in the process. Given the Premier League's new offside rule, the goal should have been disallowed.

The Sky Sports Monday Night Football crew certainly thought the officials got it wrong:

Despite the controversy, James Pearce of the Liverpool Echo took time to praise Henderson for his part in the goal:

Henderson was the story again later, though for an entirely different reason. Liverpool were given a scare in the 52nd minute when Emre Can was substituted into the game in his place. Phil McNulty of BBC Sport presumed that the Liverpool captain was injured.

That wasn't the only worry for Liverpool early in the second half, as it appeared Bournemouth—once again buzzing and seemingly not discouraged by the events of the first half—had their equalizer in the 60th minute, as Matt Ritchie ripped a screamer at Liverpool's goal from just outside the box. Luck wasn't on Bournemouth's side, however, as the effort beat Simon Mignolet but hit the right post and careened out of play.

The game only became more open from there, as Bournemouth grew in aggression and ambition as they sought an equalizing goal, continuing to push numbers forward. That allowed Liverpool a slew of chances to strike on the counter, though neither side were able to push across a goal.

Benteke nearly gave Liverpool a bit of breathing room in the 89th minute, but his half-volley from the center of the box hit the crossbar.

Post-Match Reaction

Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe certainly felt things didn't go his club's way.

"It was hugely frustrating for us tonight," he said after the match, per NBCSN's broadcast. "We were well in the game, and we put Liverpool under a lot of pressure with corners early on. All the big decisions went against us tonight."

Howe specifically spoke about Liverpool's goal and the offside rule, per Tom Williams of the AFP:

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers, meanwhile, was pleased with his team's defensive effort and felt the club will continue to evolve in that regard. He also was quick to praise the visitors.

"They're a good team, they play good football and they'll be difficult for a lot of teams to play against," he said, per NBCSN's broadcast.

Rodgers was also pleased with his new forward, Benteke. 

"He's a real handful," Rodgers said. "You can see he can play football. He's a threat in the box anytime it comes in."

As for Liverpool's other dangerous striker, the injured Daniel Sturridge, he seemed pleased after the match, via Twitter:

That's six points in two matches for Liverpool, though a contest at Arsenal on Monday will be a huge test for the Reds. For Bournemouth, it was a second straight 1-0 loss, though the club will have another opportunity to earn their first Premier League points against West Ham United on Saturday.