What is offside? The breakdown of the law that proves Liverpool's goal was illegal

Philippe Coutinho clearly offside for Liverpool against Bournemouth

TWO games in and the new rules are already being questioned after Liverpool scored a controversial winner against Bournemouth last night.

 

Christian Benteke finished at the back post after Philippe Coutinho had missed Jordan Henderson's delivery.

The Brazilian had been in an offside position, but the goal stood, leading former Manchester United defender to criticise the officials on Sky Sports' Monday Night Football.

 

"They c**k about with the offside rule every year and they don't make it any better," he said.

Cherries boss Eddie Howe and skipper Tommy Elphick - who had had a goal ruled out earlier for a soft push on Dejan Lovren - also condemned the officials.

"It's been a hugely frustrating night," Howe said. "The big decisions have gone against us. It was a two-goal swing against us, it does leave a bitter taste. For me it [Elphick's header] was a goal. If that is a free kick then we are going to be seeing them every time there is a corner.

 

Brendan Rodgers looking the wrong way

  

Christian Benteke celebrates his controversial goal

"As for their goal, I was expecting a flag because it was clearly offside under the new rules.

"The goalkeeper was affected by the movement in front of him. The goalscorer's not offside but the other player, Coutinho is. It wasn't even a tough call.

"That is obviously the disappointment. We had a few chances, the big positive is our performance, we know if we keep performing like that the results and goals will come.

"But you can't beat the decisions and the two that have gone against us tonight have cost us points. It is unforgiving, this league."

Brendan Rodgers claimed not to have seen either incident.

 

However we have broken down the rules that reveal exactly why Liverpool's goal should not have stood.

What is offside?

The official laws of the game, published by FIFA, state "a player is in an offside position if: he is nearer to his opponents' goal line than both the ball and the second-last opponent".

How has offside rule evolved down the years?

The offside rule formed part of the original rules in 1863, FIFA says. Then any attacking player ahead of the ball was deemed to be offside. The law has been tinkered with since to its present form.

What's the latest problem?

Benteke's goal, during which Philippe Coutinho played for the ball and missed, despite being in an offside position, would have been permitted last season, but under this term's amended application of the laws it should have been ruled out.

 

What's changed?

Players have previously been allowed to be in offside positions if they were not an "active" part of play; to be offside a player had to touch the ball. Referees' chief Mike Riley says the International Football Association Board (IFAB), the sport's law making body, introduced a change meaning anybody in an offside position making a play for the ball, being close to the ball or having an impact on an opponent would be deemed offside - even if they did not make contact.

Will it be fairer?

In theory, yes. It should be clearer when a player is offside or not, even if they do not touch the ball.

How long will it take officials to grasp the amendment?

Well, two rounds of fixtures into the Premier League season and we have had our first major controversy over offside. It may take a little while longer.