Premier League realities sink in for Bournemouth after defeat away to Liverpool

Tommy Elphick appeared to open the scoring but the goal was ruled out for a supposed foul

THERE were some more harsh lessons about life in the Premier League for Bournemouth at Anfield.

 

If losing to Aston Villa after having the better of their opening day game was difficult to stomach, their first ever League visit to Anfield was a painful reminder that the so-called smaller clubs do not enjoy the benefit of referee's decisions on the big stages.

The Cherries had every right to be furious with referee Craig Pawson and his assistants after two controversial first half moments that shaped the destiny of the game.

 

First, Pawson disallowed a perfectly good goal by Tommy Elphick after only five minutes, judging the Cherries captain to have pushed Dejan Lovren when replays showed he had barely laid a glove on him as they jumped for a corner.

That would have been deserved reward for an enterprising start by the newcomers.

But worse was to follow with Philippe Coutinho was clearly offside as Christian Benteke turned in Jordan Henderson's cross for a goal in front of the Kop.

 

Philippe Coutinho also appeared to be offside as Christian Benteke scored the only goal of the game

 

Bournemouth applied themselves well and were far from daunted by their surroundings

Under the new directive if a player in an offside position attempts to play the ball, he is no longer deemed as "passive" and should be penalised.

No-one could argue Coutinho hadn't stretched out his leg in a bid to turn the ball home before Benteke finished it off.

The goal eased Liverpool's anxieties after Bournemouth's bold approach had taken them by surprise on their first visit to Anfield since an FA Cup fourth round defeat way back in January 1968 during Bill Shankly's time in charge of the Merseyside club.

But Howe's men arrived pretty clued up about the modern day Liverpool having played them in the each of the two domestic cup competition in the last two seasons.

 

Playing in front of a 44,102 crowd in one of Europe's most iconic stadiums was the day Bournemouth and their fans really knew they had arrived at football's top table less than a decade after nearly going bust.

The difference in value of the two starting XIs was an eye-watering £126m with Liverpool's team costing £126m and Bournemouth's cost a modest £12m.

But until Benteke paid off the first chunk of his £32.5m fee in the 28th minute there was not a lot to choose between the teams.

Bournemouth had more shots, more possession (and better passing accuracy than Villa on the opening day. Only Manchester City (693) and Arsenal (481) completed more passes on the opening weekend.

 

Last night they were far from awestruck about their opponents or surroundings and enjoyed plenty of the game, giving Liverpool some anxious moments.

But they are leaning fast that you don't win points for passes and possession. It's goals that count and, like Burnley last season, they will certainly need a greater cutting edge if they are to survive.

Liverpool maintained their unbeaten in their opening home match in each of the last 12 Premier League seasons - since a 2-1 defeat against Chelsea in 2003-04 - to send Bournemouth back to the south coast without a point and a goal from their first two games in the top flight.

If they keep playing like this, however, it shouldn't be long before they have got both on the board. Providing that is, if they get their share of refereeing decisions.