AFCB put few Aintree fences up as Liverpool romp to 3-0 win

Match Report

Liverpool 3 v 0 AFCB

14 April 2018

Attendance: 52,959

AFCB were unable to contain Liverpool at Anfield.

Liverpool wanted to keep their momentum going after their mid-week exploits in the Champions' League and AFCB were simply unable to find away of slowing them down. If the Grand National was won by a favourite, then so would this game. AFCB were one down in seven minutes when Mane gratefully accepted Begovic's failure to gather Mane's initial header and even though Liverpool had to wait until well into the second half for Salah glide his header over Begovic, rather delightfully, for the second, then Firmino's third added a bit of reality to Liverpool's performance. AFCB need to compete better than this to get something at Anfield, but they didn't have nearly enough on this day.

Eddie Howe made two changes with Marc Pugh being moved to the bench along with Callum Wilson, while Jordan Ibe and Josh King were to be starters. Lys Mousset was perhaps a bit unlucky not to get a start, while Tyrone Mings is still not able to get back into the squad yet.

Liverpool just made one change from their mid-week triumph over Man City as captain Jordan Henderson returned to the starting line up with James Milner moving to the bench. The match was shown live on BT Sport.

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First-Half
Bournemouth got everyone behind the ball from the start. Steve Cook made a good intervention to stop a through ball to Salah. The Cherries have three at the back but they are getting pushed back and it's more like a back five. I'd probably say 4-5-1 now or even 5-5 as AFCB build a wall of blue shirts.

Another good tackle by Steve Cook prevents Salah getting a shot off. Trent Alexander-Arnold finds Salah but he's shot wide. That was close on three minutes. Aké then stops Mane from getting through.

On four minutes the Cherries have got into Liverpool's half. Liverpool soon regain possession though. Firmino runs rings round Steve Cook and wins the first corner. Aké gets the header away. Henderson picks out Mane and his first header is saved, but he puts in the rebound on seven minutes. Henederosn was given far too much time to cross the ball and Begovic just didn't hold onto the headed effort. One-nil to Liverpool.

Ibe comes forward and shoots over from 25 yards. Liverpool have a free kick after Gosling's handball. Gosling won the header and AFCB wins a free kick.

Ibe gets hold of the ball. Bournemouth get some possession. Lewis Cook makes some good passes, but then miss-controls a throw from Aké.

Firmino tries a back heel but it doesn't come off. Mane is in again from a ball from Oxlade-Chamberlain, but it's offside.

Steve Cook with a long throw. It is cleared from the Liverpool box. Fraser asks too much of Ibe. Aké takes out Oxlade-Chamberlain on the break and is carded on 15 minutes. Begovic has let in a lot of free kicks of late!

Begovic is down well to palm out Alexander-Arnold's shot to his right. Salah gets another shot off with Begovic saving to his right.

Daniels shakes off attention form Salah. Ibe gets a free kick having been caught by Oxlade-Chamberlain and AFCB have a corner on 20 minutes. Karius punches and Liverpool have a free kick.

Mane is in again but Francis gets across to block for a corner. Bournemouth defend well before Man shoots wide. Ibe now gets a corner for AFCB.

Fraser is put in well by Daniels and the cross was finished by Defoe, but Fraser was offside. Creative but it didn't quite come off for the Cherries.

A loose pass by Francis and Salah is on it and shoots over! Begovic holds on to Robertson's cross. Bournemouth are getting a real examination here.

Henderson finds Robertson as a free man at the back who heads back across goal, and Lewis Cook has fouled Henerdeson. Steve Cook heads away and Salah's pass is out of reach of Wijnaldum.

King puts an aimless cross in which is easily cleared. Fraser just keeps out Robertson on Bournemouth's right. Defoe then pushes Lovren into Karius.

Gosling fouls Salah on half an hour. Hendersn and Salah make a one-two and Salah shoots wide with Steve Cook putting him under pressure. Aké just beats Salah to Mane's little chip. Steve Cook and Aké are certainly in a game. 

Oxlade-Chamberlain has a shot from distance that is deflected for a corner. Asmir punches one-handed away.

Salah's ball on for Mane is just a bit too strong and Begovic gets the ball first. Daniels puts in a cross and Gosling finds Defoe but he is offside.

Lewis Cook is in well. Aké ribs Salah just before he was going to shoot. Liverpool have a corner on 39 minutes that Begvoic claims comfortably. Akee has to put another cross out for a corner.
Ryan Fraser has to put a header over the bar for another corner. It's just good to see teh ball safely in Begovic's hands.

Liverpool come again. Aké gets the ball but it's soon coming back at AFCB. Francis is questioned about a handball but the referee sees nothing in it. Lovren makes a long chip forward and Mane heads wide.

One minute of added time goes up. It's a relief to get in at half-time just the one goal down. 0-1 at half-time. Ibe's had the only shot from AFCB in the first half. Defoe has just had three touches - and no, one was not the kick off as AFCB will kick off the second half.

Liverpool: Possession 67 per cent, Shots 10, Shots on target 3, Corners 6, Fouls 3

AFCB: Possession 33 per cent, Shots 1, Corners 2

The Liverpool machine was in full control.

Second half
Well AFCB do kick off, but we haven't go the ball anymore. Salah and Firmino do their tricks but AFCB hold firm. Gosling is robbed by Firmino, Franics heads out. Ibe comes away. Gosling goes down again.

Free kick to AFCB. Daniels will put it into Liverpool's box and King head's wide and was offside.King and Fraser on the ball but van Dijk is there. Aké gets back to Salah. Defoe gets a touch.

Firmino round the corner to Salah. Defoe wins a free kick off Henderson. Where's the yellow card? Foot up. Ibe is caught by Oxlade-Chamberlain and the Ox is yellow carded. on 54 minutes.

AFCB have still not really come into the game enough to threaten Liverpool. Liverpool are queueing up for a cross and van Dijk hits a long screamer that just floats over the middle of the goal!

Mousset is getting ready. Long throw from Steve Cook punched by Karius and Steve Cook shanks his ball back in. Ibe is well applauded off on 58 minutes as Lys Mousset comes on.

Daniels misplaces his pass just when AFCB were getting forward. Mousset gets his first run but Wijnaldum gets back and Firmino is offside. AFCB are starting to come into this.

Salah breaks and has a shot but Begovic is down well to his left to save and holds onto it this time. Steve Cook blocks Salah's shot.

Fraser is caught by Ryan Fraser. Lewis Cook brings the ball down well but Fraser can't find Defoe. Aké pushes Salah but the ball was running away from Salah on 68 minutes. Klopp is non too happy.

Alexander-Arnold finds Salah and he loops his header over Begovic to make it 2-0. For once Salah gets away from Aké on 69 minutes.

Callum Wilson comes on for Jermain Defoe. Mane has a shot just wide from outside the box. Andrew Surman is getting ready to come on.

Steve Cook comes forward and Fraser pulls it back to Francis who clears. Surman replaces Lewis Cook on 73 minutes. Oxlade-Camberlain puts Firmino in but getting round Begovic he finds Aké is back to clear the shot off the line.

King and Surman now Francis and Wilson is in and pulls it back to Gosling, but Henderson is there to clear for a corner. Surman chips it back in and King finishes but he's offside.

Saido Mane is replaces by James Milner on 77 minutes. Fraser to Francis and Lovren just takes it off Mousset's head - corner.

Salah against Steve Cook and now Liverpool have a corner. Francis wins a header. Aké tackles Salah and Oxlade-Chamerblain shoots over.

Into the last 10 minutes. King and Surman Fraser crosses and tries again. Francis puts the ball in and Mousset can't finish, but Gosling shoots and Karius saves! The corner misses all the AFCB players Salah is away but Firmino is offside. Klavern is on for Lovren.

King up to Wilson and he fires just wide. That was close! Two good chances for AFCB in the last minute.

Mousset beats two players, Surman out to Daniels and King fires a shot that's blocked by Milner. AFCB being allowed to play a bit now.

Begocic is out to beat Firmno to the ball. Gosling finds Daniels but Liverpool recover in their box well. Oxlade-Chamberlain shoots from the centre and screws the shot just wide of the left post.

Oxlade-Chamberlain finds Firmino on the left if the AFCB box and he beats Begovic on his near post. It's 3-0. The ball goes in between Francis' legs. King chips the ball that is headed away.

Aké and King to Mousset has lost the ball. Robertson hits his shot over on the break. Firmino has been subbed for Solanke.

Wilson is on side, now King, but his cross is blocked. That's it 3-0 to Liverpool.

Summary
The Cherries were just out thought, out ran and out played by a Liverpool side that dominated from start to finish. Today, there was little fight about AFCB and little we can say that was encouraging about the performance. You have to hold your hand up to Klopp's side that were just terrific. Henderson was given far too much space to play his long passes forward and AFCB didn't get close enough to Liverpool's midfield. Salah was kept quiet for much of the game by Aké and Steve Cook was AFCB's defender who was tidying up a lot of the time.

Nathan Aké and Steve Cook put in brave performance and Lewis Cook didn't give in and will have learnt a lot. But AFCB did not create anything much apart from a late shot from Gosling that could have gone in on another day and a couple of half chances for Callum Wilson. AFCB will try again on Wednesday against Man Utd, but we must see higher energy levels from AFCB for that game.

AFCB line up

AFCB subs: Boruc, B Smith, Simpson, Surman, Pugh, Wilson, Mousset.

AFCB Ratings
Begovic 5, Francis 5, S Cook 8, Aké 7, Daniels 6, Ibe 6, Gosling 5, L Cook 7, Fraser 6, King 6, Defoe 5

MOM: Steve Cook

Ref Watch Chris Kavannah: 5/10 I thought he missed an early yellow card for a Liverpool player but he had an easy game to referee. Perhaps Aké got away with a penalty shout against him for pushing Mo Salah.

Liverpool
Karius, Alexander-Arnold, Lovren (Klavern 83), van Dijk, Robertson, Wijnaldum, Henderson,
Oxlade-Chamberlain, Salah, Firmino (Solanke 90+1), Mané (Milner 77)

Liverpool Subs
Milner, Klavan, Moreno, Mignolet, Ings, Solanke, Woodburn

No Cherry Chimes' T-Shirt winner this week :-(

Fraser's stampede clips Klopp's title charge 4-3

Match Report

AFCB 4 v 3 Liverpool

4 December 2016

Attendance: 11,183

Liverpool fans unfurl their flags.

AFCB are not supposed to go and beat title contenders are they? Liverpool were unbeaten in their last 11 Premier League games. Well, strike that. While AFCB had not beaten Liverpool in nine attempts since 1927, there had to be a first time and this was a sensational second half comeback, after Liverpool had dominated the first half and had gone into the beak 0-2 up. Mané and Origi had put Liverpool in command after two balls over the top had caught Artur Boruc out, but the game started to change when Ryan Fraser came on for an injured Junior Stanislas on 55 minutes. He won a penalty with his pace running at James Milner and Callum Wilson cut the deficit to 1-2. Although Liverpool came racing back with a sublime top corner finish from Emre Can, nobody would have expected AFCB to play with such attacking flare that they would threaten to take all three points. But once Ryan Fraser scored his first ever Premier League goal and Steve Cook turned sharply, before hitting his venomous strike, the Cherries were all level at 3-3 and in added time a further right footed shot from Steve Cook had Karius spilling the ball like a hot potato and Nathan Aké was on hand to scramble the ball home for an amazing Bournemouth winner!

Francis and Henderson in the middle.

A minute's silence for the Chapecoense team.

Brad Smith and Adam Federici were the unlucky players to be dropped form AFCB's starting line up, but that allowed Jack Wilshere and Artur Boruc to return to the side. What fans did not expect was to see Adam Smith go to left back. Stanislas had lined up on the left wing and Josh King on the right for AFCB. AFCB had relaid a new pitch and we had new dugouts to admire as well.

The teams had a fabulous new pitch to play on.

Liverpool also made a couple of changes with Lucas and Origi making starts instead of Matip and Coutinho.

There are more pictures on Match Day Gallery.

The conditions looked great with a brand new pitch and afternoon sun but Mané had to shield his eyes from the sunlight as an early ball flew in his direction on the half way line. Firmino saw his shot blocked by Steve Cook, but Liverpool had AFCB stretched from the start. Aké was getting his tackles in, but Milner was steaming down the left wing and easily getting a cross in that Steve Cook put his head to. Smith, Gosling and Wilshere were chasing shirts and not getting near to the Liverpool players and when Arter caught up with Emre Can all he could do was foul him.

Clyne then played a curled ball in from the right that Origi looked certain to score from, but the ball sped off his foot and wide of AFCB's goal from six yards! What followed was a series of four corners for the Merseysiders, from the right side, who laid siege to Artur Boruc's goal. Just to ensure there was not something wrong with the other side of the pitch they tried one from the left side too. 

Even when King won a free kick from Milner, the ball came straight back with Firmino having a blocked shot. Possession was already at 65 per cent for the fluorescent yellow shirts and the breakthrough came from a hopefully lofted ball from Emre Can over the top for Mané to run on to in a sprint with Aké, while Boruc was slow to come out. Mané stabbed the ball past Boruc and it was 0-1 on 20 minutes.

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Just as it couldn't get much worst, Harry Arter lost the ball and Mané nipped in to take the ball before Henderson and Can played in Origi down the right. Smith was unable to get back and Boruc came racing out of his goal. While Origi rounded Boruc it seemed too difficult an angle for him to score, but he bent his shot and found the bottom corner of the goal with Steve Cook unable to get in the ball's way. AFCB were 0-2 down and there was just 23 minutes gone. I was fearing the worst.

The home crowd were not exactly happy about the way the Cherries were playing and they weren't slow in letting the players know. Wilson almost found a way round Clyne, but slipped just when he might have had a sight of goal.

Even when Wilshere won a corner for the Cherries and Natahn Aké seemed to have had his legs taken by Firmino from under him there was no resulting penalty. From our angle it looked a pen all day long. Although Josh King saw an effort scrambled away for a corner, AFCB were not finding any way into this game. But a 0-2 deficit at half time seemed a reasonable escape, as it could have been more if Liverpool had found more of a cutting-edge.

All over?

The players troop off at half time.

Second half

We all hoped that Eddie would do something about Adam Smith at half time as he was being ripped apart at left back, and sure enough there was a change. Ibe came on for Josh King who had looked a bit flat, while Nathan Aké moved over to left back and Smith went to right back, leaving Francis and Cook as centre backs. Straight away the side looked more balanced and Jordan Ibe was holding off players well, which started to get AFCB into the game.

AFCB fans had started to get fed up of referee Robert Madley who had not played advantage at times, while now booking Simon Francis for up ending Milner. There was a big cheer though when Henderson was yellow carded for fouling Junior Stanislas. The bad news though was that Stanislas could not continue with his injured ankle. Ryan Francis was hurried on and took his place.

It was a game changing substitution. Within minutes Fraser was running at James Milner in Liverpool's box and the wee man was chopped down and won a penalty. It was an easy decision for Madley to give. Wilson stepped up and slotted home to the keeper's right. Klopp was given a talking to by the referee, but on we went with just a bit more hope. Boruc was soon called into action to smother the ball at the feet of Origi.

AFCB were trying to feed Fraser the ball whenever they could now. Yet, Liverpool were not done and with Firmino speeding down the right he pulled a ball back for Emre Can on the edge of the box and his first time shot rifled the ball into the top right corner, past Artur Boruc with a flash - 1-3.

That was that then. Lucas ran back for the restart clenching his fists as if it was all over - points in the bag. What unfolded next was probably AFCB's best 30 minutes of any game it has had in the Premier League. 

It was hardly the most inspiring of efforts at first from Harry Arter as he ballooned shot well over the bar. But when Lallana had taken to the field to replace Mané, there was a fire that suddenly roused the AFCB players. Callum Wilson finally started to run at defenders and found Ryan Fraser just inside the box where he blazed a powerful shot that Karius did well to tip over.

Liverpool also came close though when Milner won a corner against Francis and the corner kick was almost taken over the goal line by Boruc as he stepped backwards! The thickness of the ball's skin was just about all that saved AFCB from going 1-4 down.

Gosling was then replaced by Benik Afobe to add a further striker for Liverpool to have to worry about. The impact was immediate with Wilson driven wide, but still able to spot Afobe rushing in. While Benik's touch bounced the ball away from him it fell kindly to Ryan Fraser on the 18 yard line. A quick step inside the defender and the Scottish winger had scored his first goal in the Premier League, beating Karius with power 2-3. AFCB were back in this and the home crowd knew it with 16 minutes to go.

The noise suddenly ramped up several notches. AFCB fans were giving their team every bit of belief they had. They did not have to wait among for another goal. Lovren fouled the ever lively Ryan Fraser and Fraser sped down the right to deliver a cross a bit behind Steve Cook. Still, Steve put in a swift turn brought the ball down and this incredible centre back smashed his volley into the goal to make it 3-3 - unbelievable (it was like watching Brazil!). It was redemption for Steve Cook after his mistake at Arsenal the previous week. He was down on his knees sliding at the Family stand with the rest of his team-mates quick to mob him. 

The excitement was hardly subsiding. This was now anyone's game and Wilson put Afobe in one on one against Karius only for the keeper to pull off a great save as the ball flew over the bar from Afobe's shot.

Liverpool came back into it now, pushing AFCB back. The Cherries were happy to use Fraser's pace on the break, but referee Madley was not playing the advantage when he did get free. Emre Can at least was carded. With 90 minutes approaching a corner towards Afobe was punched clear by Karius, but the ball was being sucked towards the Liverpool end.

With five minutes of added time to go, it just felt like there was a final line to be written. Who could be a hero? Origi took a shot on the volley from a corner, but it sailed well over. We were back down the Liverpool goal and Steve Cook wound up his long throw.

At first Liverpool coped with it but a second attempt was to follow with Cookie asking the crowd to raise the noise level. Little did we know that Ibe would get the ball back to Cook who began to wonder nearer the goal and the 18 yard box, and on his weaker right foot, he took aim and fired in a shot that bounced just before the keeper. Karius fumbled it and Aké was quick to react. At first he only nudged the ball away from the keeper, but his second touch scrambled the ball over the line 4-3. AFCB had done it. The ground erupted in jubilant AFCB fans who all chanted and praised the team for what had been a tremendous comeback.

Did that really just happen?

Afobe and Clyne.

Boruc is pleased with the result.

Liverpool fans look bewildered - how did you lose that?

Summary

If football was a recipe that had great ingredients and was cooked up to a fabulous finish every game it would be something like this. You can't know sometimes how something is going to turn out. It may start off horrible and nothing falls in to place at first, but sometimes you can rescue things and Eddie Howe started to put some corrective forces into the game at half time and by the time Ryan Fraser had energised the right wing of the team, AFCB just went from strength to strength. It was a magnificent turnaround and yet there was a sense that the Cherries might just do something special when up against a big team like Liverpool if they could get a bit of wind behind them. Once that momentum started, it was too much for Liverpool to handle and the points were swept away from the title contenders by a side that never gave up hope despite being battered in the first half. AFCB truly grew up in this game - the rest of the Premier League may start to fear what Eddie Howe's side is capable of now. This was proof that AFCB are a good Premier League side, but some of us already knew that.

Simon Fraser thanks the North stand.

The staff greet the players.

Nathan Aké makes it two goals in three games for himself.

AFCB

Boruc, Francis, Cook, Aké, Smith, Arter, Gosling (Afobe 75), King (Ibe 45), Wilshere,

Stanislas (Fraser 55), Wilson

AFCB Subs
Federici, Mings, Pugh, Afobe, Smith, Fraser, Ibe

AFCB Ratings

Boruc 5, Francis 6, Cook 9, Aké 9, Smith 6, Arter 6, Gosling 5 (Afobe 6),

King 6 (Ibe 6), Wilshere 7, Stanislas 6 (Fraser 10), Wilson 7

Liverpool

Karius, Clyne, Lucas, Lovren, Milner, Wijnaldum, Henderson, Can, Mané (Lallana 69), Origi, Firmino

Liverpool Subs

Mignolet, Klavan, Moreno, Lallana, Ejaria, Woodburn, Alexander-Arnold

Referee Watch: Robert Madley - 5/10 he had difficulty in playing the advantage and it took him to late in the second half to start evening up some free kick decisions against Liverpool.

FA Cup draw tonight on BBC 2 7.10pm
AFCB Ball no 1
Saints Ball no 35
Eastleigh Ball no 60

Is Boruc suspect from early shots around the edge of the box?

Against Liverpool and Everton it was noticeable that AFCB let in early goals. While Eddie Howe said it was surprising that the Cherries let in any goals at all against Everton the first strike was well directed by Tom Cleverly and it was not only a shame that Simon Francis was turned inside out, but Artur Boruc did not seem to get down that quickly and the ball was in the back of the net in seconds.

Unsighted or slow to get down. Artur Boruc has to see another
shot from the edge of the box pass him the first 10 minutes.

The replay shows that Tommy Elphick made a last ditch effort to try and block the shot but all he probably did was impair the vision of Artur in the goal. Artur simply didn't expect the shot I feel and when it was struck he wasn't able to move quickly enough to get near it. While a similar goal was scored by Firmino only a week ago, it does start to feel like no coincidence that the team is not defending well enough in and around its 18 yard line and whether you blame the defenders for not getting close enough to get a block in or the keeper for not being able to keep shots from that kind of distance out, there is a clear weakness and it is costing games.

I can't say that Everton were by far the dominant team but their shooting was more accurate and of the two keepers it was Boruc that was called into action more often. You want your man between the sticks to be a star performer every week but it is the hardest position on the field and even standing just a shade too far to one side of the goal or the other leads to a poor starting position and Artur has to start looking at his positional starting point for shots on the angle around the box. He's getting beaten too often for similar goals and while the defenders are also making mistakes it should have to be an absolute blockbuster for opposition teams to score from 18-20 yards out. That said I feel AFCB's number one season has had a big season and has certainly saved the side on many occasions.

My worry is that Boruc's problems with his knee early season is still not right and that he can't always respond as quickly as he would like. I hope that is not the case. If it is though, then maybe Eddie will look at the goalkeeping position this summer.

Boruc is doing his bit to keep the scores down

The work that Artur Boruc is having to do in games has rapidly escalated in the last four games. While he had a relatively easy passage at Aston Villa he has had to pick the ball out of the net quite a few times of late and yet he has been making an awful lot of saves as well.

Artur is not having it all his own way in matches at the moment.

Artur has had his ups and downs this season. He has kept Adam Federici out of most of the games and I think most fans agree that he is the number one. Yet, he is always under pressure in this team as the side continues to leak goals against the quality teams and many of them are from set pieces. While Artur can organise the team to some extent from the back he could do little about the goals that Liverpool scored at the weekend. In fact Artur made a pretty good one handed stop for Sturridge's back heel shot before Firmino had the simplest of tap ins.

The second goal was the crucial one though in the Liverpool game and it narked Eddie Howe that AFCB allowed Sturridge a free header. The striker still had a lot to do but Boruc did not really get that close to stopping the header that went straight in the top corner. Boruc had performed well though at other times, stopping Sturridge's early shot when Surman had given him a path to goal in the first five minutes, and in the second half when narrowing the angle and seeing Sturridge hit the foot of the post. 

For me it wasn't Boruc that needed to do better in the game to keep the goals down it was the whole team in front of him. Marking and winning tackles in the box is an important element of the game that only Leicester City seem to have mastered this season. If a side can't do that well they have to play higher up the pitch and try and defend a high line. We saw that a bit from the Cherries with Sturridge getting caught offside fairly regularly, but at then end of the day a team has to defend its own box better than we have seen of late from AFCB. 

AFCB's late rally not enough against Liverpool 1-2

Match Report

AFCB 1 v 2 Liverpool

17 April 2016

Attendance: 11,386

The two teams before kick off.

Winning points at home is still not proving easy against the best sides. Liverpool may have made 10 changes from their midweek team against Borussia Dortmund but they were still too strong for the Cherries who found themselves 0-2 down at half time thanks to a quick double strike at first from Firmino and then from the head of Daniel Sturridge. Quality finishing in the box was the difference between the teams and it's something that Eddie Howe knows his side has to improve on. While AFCB showed more inventiveness in the second half with Pugh on the left wing and Grabban running through the centre it was Josh King who offered most hope for a goal and he found the back of the net in the 90+3 minute with a low strike just inside the box, but it was merely a consolation.

Liverpool supporters and flags.

There was only one change from the previous match against Villa for AFCB with a fully fit Junior Stanislas replacing Lewis Grabban. AFCB set up 4-5-1 with King playing upfront and Stanislas looking to break from midfield. It was a strong line up for the Cherries and one that should have been able to take the game to a Liverpool side that included the recognisable names of Sturridge, Firmino, Lucas, Allen and Ibe but otherwise saw the youngsters take on AFCB including the keeper Danny Ward who was not even in the match programme.

Liverpool fans Sid and Paul give their pre-match views.
We were ticket tout interrupted but carried on - very professional.

Lucas and Elphick take a wreath to the Liverpool fans in 
memory of the 96 who lost their lives at Hillsborough 27 years ago.

Sturridge and Firmino kick off.

There are more pictures on Match Day Gallery.

It was a bit of a strange first 45 minutes that resembled a pre-season match to me. Neither side really fell into a pattern of lay and in the first minute Max Gradel was up ended by Randall. AFCB were guilty of misplaced passes with Daniles and then Surman especially at fault when Sturridge found himself clear through only for Boruc to make a good save to his left.

Steve Cook was busy already making last ditch tackles on Sturridge. It took five minutes before the Cherries got up the other end and then Steve Cook could not quite get over Francis' deep cross.

When Liverpool came forward Cook only pushed his header back into the path of Firmino who blasted his shot over from 25 yards out. Josh King was running hard and past Lucas only to be pushed in the box but the ball had already run out for a goal kick.

With Sturridge finding the offiside flag it looked like AFCB were finding a way to slow Liverpool down. More than that they were breaking well with Ritchie passing up the chance to shoot and then Sanislas doing the same in trying to find King when he might have tried his luck. Gosling won a foul while Ritchie had a shot that was driven wide of the left post.

Liverpool were pressing AFCB's back four with Cook and Boruc often under pressure with Ojo and Firmino in hot pursuit. Firmino was finding space on the left but his cross was chipped comfortably for Boruc to catch.

A foul on Josh King on 19 minutes gave Ritchie a chance to get the ball in the box. With only two in the wall he might have shot but he drove in a curling cross that Elphick headed well but right at Danny Ward in the Liverpool goal.

The next problem came down AFCB's left with Ojo beating Gradel and Daniels and weaving his way into a shooting space where he hit his shot straight at Cook's chest only for Randall to fire his shot against Cook and then have a second go hat Boruc saved. Liverpool were pressing for the break through and when Sturridge ran into the box on a pass from Allen, Steve Cook managed to get his foot n and almost directed the ball pass Boruc but the keeper made a fine save with 27 minutes gone.

The Cherries' had a period of controlled passing with Gradel, Stanislas and Gosling linking well before Stansilas' shot was blocked. King was doing his usual robbing act on Kevin Stewart when the Liverpool midfielder dallied too long, but the Cherries weren't getting clear chances. Even when King got in front of Lucas and the ball bobbed up at Lucas' hand there was no handball given.

A clear chance did fall to Liverpool though on 41 minutes when Sturridge had a back heeled shot saved well by Boruc with the striker his back to goal, but Firmino was on the spot to run the ball home and give Liverpool the lead 0-1 with Daniels unable to stop Firmino.

Three minutes of extra time also proved costly for the Cherries as Ritchie fouled Ibe on the left and the free kick taken by Jordon Ibe was met by an unmarked Daniel Sturridge who headed down to Boruc's right and put Liverpool 0-2 up on half time.

The managers look on.

Second Half
Something needed to be done to get the Cherries back into this game and Eddie turned to Lewis Grabban and subbed Junior Stanislas. The first five minutes of the second half was still dominated by the white shirts of Liverpool though. Francis conceded an early corner and Boruc had to make a low down save after the ball was fired in from the left wing. The keeper then dropped a cross and luckily Firmono shot wide.

The best chance though for Liverpool came on 53 minutes when Gosling found himself stretched in midfield trying to reach a throw from Francis. The ball fell to Allen who made a pass to Sturridge. The striker was through and decided to chip and the ball past Boruc but glanced wide off the bottom of the post when everyone thought it would be another goal.

When Toure then went down in his box asking for play to stop before then suddenly getting up the North stand shouted cheat as AFCB had been on the attack. The centre half seemed perfectly okay seconds later which infuriated the home crowd.

Eddie Howe turned to Pugh on 59 minutes with Max Gradel departing.  The winger made an immediate impact by winning a free kick off of Ojo. Ritchie fired the ball into Grabban and there were shouts of handball by Toure but not penalty was awarded. This one did look like hand to ball.

A following corner had AFCB fans baffled as Steve Cook ran over to take it. The ball was quickly fed out by Gosling to Francis who played the ball straight back for Cook to head but the centre forward was offside.

King was proving a nightmare for Lucas who cut back inside him and had a shot saved well, low down, by Ward on 65 minutes. Toure was perhaps thankfully subbed for Sakho to come on after 65 minutes. King immediately welcomed Sakho to the game by going past him and almost scoring having got past Lucas in the box, but a clawing arm of a scrambling Ward just pushed to ball away to safety.

Surman was becoming more influential now in setting up play, while Grabban was also pushing the team forward.

Klopp brought on Origi for Firmino and there was a huge welcome for Callum Wilson coming on for Matt Ritchie on 76 minutes. Lallana also replaced Ibe a minute later.

The Cherries were chasing the game ow with King seeing his shot blocked and then Grabban seeing his header saved down low to the left by Ward - a super save!

Liverpool were far from quite though with Stanislas rattling the bar o 83 minutes. Another handball shout against Brad Smith was waved away by referee Mike Jones. Surman then made a burst into the box but the ball was played just behind him by King. Wilson was then fouled by Lucas on the left and the free kick was strangely defended by a crouching Brad Smith that glanced of his chest and then his arm but again - no penalty.

Sturridge again had a chance but chipped over as Liverpool looked to close out the game. Pugh was starting to cause problems for Liverpool down their right though and Liverpool tried to play keep ball knowing that the AFCB subs were full of energy.

From a corner Francis kept the ball in with a good header and King had his header cleared just in front of the goal line. With three minutes of added time, the ball did break from a Surman pass to Josh King on the left side of the box. His instant turn and shot finally beat Ward in his bottom right corner and gave the Cherries a goal, but it was all too late. While a last rally by AFCB saw Pugh make a cross for Cook to head the attempt flew over and the match was ended.

Liverpool had beaten AFCB yet again and the three points were heading back to the Mersey.

AFCB still fail to beat a Liverpool side.

No points but a strong finish from the Cherries.

Summary
The Cherries should have fancied themselves to get something from this game when they looked at the team sheet. Many of Liverpool's big names were left on the bench and yet the home side could not take advantage of that and a scramble in the box and one set piece had left them chasing the game in a second half that had little incident and was well controlled by Liverpool. While Josh King again showed why he has been one of the finds of the season in this AFCB team the only real plus points were the continued strong form of Lewis Grabban and the return of Junior Stanislas with a few more minutes for Callum Wilson.

AFCB
Boruc, Francis, Elphick, Cook, Daniels, Surman, Ritchie (Wilson 77), Gosling, Stanislas

(Grabban 45), Gradel (Pugh 59), King

Cherries' Subs

Federici, Wiggins, Pugh, O'Kane, Wilson, MacDonald, Grabban

AFCB Ratings
Boruc 6, Francis 6, Elphick 6, Cook 6, Daniels 5, Surman 6, Ritchie 6, Gosling 6, Stanislas 5 (Grabban 7), Gradel 5 (Pugh 6), King 8 

Ref Watch: Mike Jones - 7/10 I did not think much of AFCB's handball claims and the ref had a decent game and allowed some quick free kicks as the game went on

Liverpool
Ward, Randall, K Touré (Sakho 67), Lucas, Smith, Ojo, Stewart, Allen, Ibe (Lallana 78), Firmino (Origi 75), Sturridge

Liverpool Subs

Mignolet, Flanagan, Sakho, Milner, Coutinho, Lallana, Origi

AFCB fan Matt Adam @SeaScalpel predicted the right score this weekend for the game.

Meanwhile, All Department's podcast with Damien Hill is already out - see All Departmens' website to listen in.