Eddie Howe: 'I don't think it's a tough one... it's clear impacting,' says Bournemouth manager after seeing offside Liverpool goal stand

Liverpool 1 Bournemouth 0

(Getty Images)

Eddie Howe, Bournemouth’s manager, will seek clarification from referee chief Mike Riley as to why Christian Benteke’s match winner for Liverpool against his side was allowed to stand under new rules.

New guidelines stated that goals should be disallowed whenever a player has a shot and an offside teammate makes an attempt for the ball even if they don’t touch it.

From Jordan Henderson’s cross, Benteke converted after Philippe Coutinho, positioned beyond Bournemouth’s last defender at the point of Henderson’s delivery, had tried to score, confusing goalkeeper Artur Boruc.

“If that is not offside, it is the clearest example you will see,” Howe claimed. “I don’t think that is a tough one. It is a yard and a half and clearly impacting.”

Earlier, Tommy Elphick’s header was ruled out for a foul on Dejan Lovren and Howe considered that decision incorrect too.

“Tommy’s won the ball fairly for me. He’s been aggressive but if that’s a foul we’d be giving fouls all the time.

“I would like some feedback on both decisions. It is a difficult profession but decisions of that magnitude, I don’t think either is particularly difficult but you have to get them right.”

Christian Benteke finishes but Philippe Coutinho (out of shot) should have been ruled offside (Reuters)

Brendan Rodgers denied that he had seen replays of each incident but was encouraged by the performance of Benteke, who marked his home debut by delivering the game’s most significant touch.

“I thought he was a real handful,” Rodgers said of the £32.5 million centre forward. “His hold-up play is outstanding and has a wonderful touch for a big man. He can help the ball on to others. There was one moment when the ball came into the box and because of his strength and power, he made a chance for Coutinho. In my time that has never really happened. Because of his physicality, he keeps the ball alive in a dangerous area. That will really help. It gives us a different dimension.”

The result means that Liverpool’s reshaped defence has kept clean sheets in each of their two opening games. Despite Bournemouth’s energy and persistence, Simon Mignolet was rarely troubled in Liverpool’s goal.

“I am pleased we have got two wins and six points,” Rodgers added. “The organisation has been good. That will grow and that will come. A lot of players coming into the club and will take time to bed in. What you have seen is the character and the spirit. My concern at the moment was showing that steel and determination to get results. Last season it was until October that we got back to back wins.”