Match Report
Liverpool 1 v 0 AFCB
17 August 2015
Attendance: 44,102
Where is Paul Dickov when you need him? Two harsh decisions costs the Cherries any hope of points on Monday night at Anfield. A Christian Benteke goal that was arguably a goal that should have been chalked off for Coutinhio falling foul of the new offside rule was allowed to stand, while Tommy Elphick's hands on Dejan Lovrens' back saw AFCB get the ball over the line but unfairly according to referee Craig Dawson. So it's two games and no points from AFCB, but they more than showed that they will pick up points in this league and can march on feeling a little hard done by on this result which saw a Liverpool side have to dig deep at times to keep the upper hand.
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| Tommy was robbed of scoring against his favourite team. |
Mascot view of Anfield.
Bournemouth made a more promising start than might have been expected as they warmed to the task of playing in front of a large crowd on Merseyside. AFCB won the first corner, but Jordan Ibe had the first shot which went side.
As early as the fifth minute one of the big talking points of the game came as the Cherries won another corner. Elphick was up well and connected with the cross as Lovren wilted underneath him. The fact that Tommy put two hands on the shoulders of the fading Liverpool defender was enough for the referee to rule out the header out, which would have put AFCB 0-1 up with just five minutes gone.
AFCB continued to press well up the field as the corner count went 4-1 in the Cherries favour. The first 15 minutes saw the Cherries string passes together well and Surman was pushing balls forward with great success. Liverpool were even using longer balls with Coutinho trying to play Benteke in over the top. The Reds were coming more into it and O'Kane was having to stick close to Coutinho. After 24 minutes Bournemouth were doing the defending as Benteke shot wide, after Matt Ritchie gave the ball away.
Liverpool passing reached a much higher level then and after a long period of possession they had a corner which Henderson took on the left. As the ball came back to him he crossed it towards the six yard line with Coutinho clearly offside, but he was adjudged not to be interfering with play when he was right next to Boruc and shaped for a shot before the ball reached Benteke who snuck in at the far post to make it 1-0 to the home side. The TV and radio commentaries were all over the poor decision to allow the goal. It clearly was exactly what this year's change in the offside rule had been brought in for, but it didn't matter. The goal stood and the Cherries were behind on 26 minutes.
Liverpool kept on top for the next few minutes and Eunan O'Kane picked up a yellow card for a foul on Coutinho. Lallana had a header that was an easy save for Boruc. As the half closed it was Liverpool in control with Coutinho shooting wide. Half time 1-0.
The second half began with Ritchie hitting a low drive right at Mignolet. Gomes was caught with the ball hitting his hand but was not adjudged to have known much about it. Liverpool then went on the attack with Ibe shooting wide and then Coutinho had his shot deflected by Cook for a corner. At that moment Henderson was subbed for Emre Can to come on and Milner took the armband. An even better chance fell to Milner but he shot wide as well.
Ritchie put in a great cross that the Liverpool keeper had to punch out for a corner. the game was opening up. The Cherries were giving it their best effort and Ritchie drilled a shot that zipped off the post and out for a goal kick! King was subbed for Lee Tomlin on 60 minutes and the Cherries swapped Ritchie over to the left wing with Gradel playing on the right.
O'Kane was next to go on a run but he hit his shot into the side netting. Ritchie was shooting at every opportunity now. But Liverpool had the chance to extend their lead when Surman handled the ball just outside the area. Coutinho's shot though came off the wall. A few moments later he shot over as well.
Forminio came on at 70 minutes, replacing Ibe. Tomlin was finding it hard to get into the game and Gomez fouled him picking up a yellow card in 75 minutes. that was equalled up by Ritchie picking up a card for chasing back Coutinho and catching him from behind.
With nine minutes left Adam Smith replaced Max Gradel and Coutinho was subbed for Moreno. A late Bournemouth corner then saw Lee Tomlin head over the bar in a crowded box and Dan Gosling replaced eunan O'kane with three minutes to go. Clyne was next to shoot wide before Liverpool missed a chance to wrap things up. The ball fell to benteke who hit it down and onto AFCB's bar before Lallana missed the follow up.
Four minutes of extra time followed but Moreno came closest to breaking through before Francis and Cook shut the door and Cook was yellow carded. A late cross by Adam Smith failed to find a Bournemouth player and the final whistle brought the game to an end.
Summary
A brave and solid performance by the Cherries did not get the reward the team deserved. Eddie will be pleased with how the team played though. It was really positive to play two up front and to have a go at Liverpool and for large spells it certainly was unsettling for Skrtel and Lovren, but the Cherries have to up their shot count and they'll need to test the keeper at the other end more often.It's okay playing well and the players who came in did well enough, but it's points that the team need as we all know.
Cherries XI : Boruc, Francis, Elphick, Cook, Daniels, Ritchie, O'Kane, Surman, Gradel, King, Wilson.
AFCB Subs: Federici, Smith, Distin, Mings, Gosling, Pugh, Tomlin.
AFCB Ratings: Boruc 6, Francis 7, Elphick 7, Cook 7, Daniels 8, Ritchie 8, O'Kane 7, Surman 7, Gradel 6, King 6, Wilson 6.
Liverpool: Mignolet, Clyne, Lovren, Skrtel, Gomez, Henderson, Milner, Coutinho, Lallana, Ibe, Benteke
Liverpool subs: Bogdan, Toure, Firmino, Moreno, Can, Origi, Ings
Referee rating: Craig Dawson 2/10 two big decisions, did he get either right? Even if he only got one wrong it cost the Cherries dearly. Poor help from assistant referees for him as well.
Two harsh decisions and poor finishing cost you points. Benteke and Coutinho should have added a further two goals.
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