Anfield men rely on Christian aid
Bournemouth now know what that ‘this Is Anfield’ sign signifies. It i sn’t about the club, or even the mighty stadium. not solely. the history and legend, well yes, a bit of that, too. But there’s more.
What ‘this Is Anfield’ represents is the whole package: the famous red shirt, and the Kop, those spine-tingling european nights, but also the other obstacles, the random f actors that l i ne up against Premier League virgins.
referees who refuse to believe Bournemouth can score a legitimate goal after five minutes at Anfield; that one mistake costs three points; that every chance must be taken. If it felt daunting going out there, it must have felt doubly so returning to the dressing room after 90 minutes. Bournemouth gave it everything and came away with nothing. they did not play badly but lost — 1-0 — for a second time this season.
And they have got this, every week, for a season. not Anfield, obviously, but the demands of one of the most punishing leagues in world football.
Liverpool had the better of the first half after a bright Bournemouth spell, but far from brushing their opponents aside after half-time as expected, if anything, they were hanging on.
matt ritchie hit a post and a lot of Liverpool’s rhythm went with the disappearance of Jordan henderson seven minutes after half-time and losing him would be a significant blow.
the best news for Brendan rodgers was a goal for Christian Benteke on his home debut — at the Kop end. the frustration for Cherries boss eddie howe was that it should have been disallowed for offside.
A legitimate goal for tommy elphick should have stood, too.
If Bournemouth looked Premier League quality, the same cannot be said for referee Craig Pawson.
Put simply, Bournemouth got absolutely stiffed. Who knows what tension it would have caused had the fifth-minute goal stood?
It was a corner from the right, met by captain elphick. Pawson claimed he had manhandled Dejan Lovren to win the header, but it did not look much of an offence on playback.
elphick brushed him, little more, and Lovren should have been far stronger. What a moment it would have been for Bournemouth.
‘For me it’s a goal. It’s a great ball in, a great header. he’s competing, wrestling, but if that’s a free-kick we’re going to see free-kicks every time there’s a corner i n my opinion,’ said a frustrated howe afterwards.
If Pawson saw what wasn’t for Bournemouth’s goal, he missed what was for Liverpool’s — an offside against Philippe Coutinho as the cross came in that would have been of no significance last season, but is most certainly an infringement under the rule changes.
the move began with henderson’s shortish corner to nathaniel Clyne, changing the angle and returned to his feet. henderson whipped in a superb inswinger, which caught Bournemouth’s defence square and unprepared.
But Coutinho was offside and tried to get a touch, but could not reach. the rules changed this season. An offside player no longer has to touch the ball, merely display obvious active movement towards it.
unless Pawson thought Coutinho was about to nip off for a half-time cup of Bovril, it is hard to see what else he thought he was trying to do.
Without doubt, he would have caught the attention of goalkeeper Artur Boruc — and that type of distraction is the whole point of the rule change.
Still, no whistle, no flag and up popped Benteke at the far post to knock the ball over the line from no more than three yards.
‘It’s a clear offside and for that to be missed, with this new rule, it does leave a bit of a bitter taste,’ added howe.
‘I would like to speak to the officials and get their views on the two main incidents in the game.’
But rodgers was not interested in having a debate.
‘one, I haven’t see the replay yet, and two, it’s a goal,’ he said. ‘It’s very difficult, the interpretation changes every year, but the most important thing is it was a goal and we won 1-0. that’s all that concerns me.
‘I’m very pleased for the players. Six points, two clean sheets, defensively we’re working well and the team will grow with their performances.’