Referees in the spotlight
The Premier League is known for its exacting standards on referees and right at the end of Week 2, we have seen our first big refereeing controversy of the season. Bournemouth will have every reason to be upset that the assistant did not flag for offside on Phillipe Coutinho, who was offside when Jordan Henderson crossed the ball for Benteke to tap in at the far post. Under the new rules, Coutinho was interfering with play and the goal shouldn’t have stood.
Before that, Bournemouth defender Tommy Elphick headed home from a corner, but was penalized for a foul on Dejan Lovren. The replays showed that there was barely enough contact. As EPL commentators are wont to say: ‘I’ve seen them given’.
Bournemouth hold their own
Before and after Benteke’s goal, Bournemouth were organized when they did not have the ball, and prevented Liverpool from entering full flow. Charlie Daniels at left back in particular did very well with crucial blocks, and going forward Matt Ritchie caught the eye as well. In the second half, they grew in confidence and pushed for an equaliser right till the end. This is the second game in a row where they really should have gotten a draw. If they continue to play like this they will be fine this season, eventually.
Coutinho growing in stature
With the likes of Luis Suarez and Raheem Sterling long gone, Sturridge still injured, Roberto Firminho yet to come into the side fully and Adam Lallana mostly anonymous, Phillipe Coutinho frequently looks like the Liverpool player most likely to make things happen in the final third. He followed up his match winner at the Britannia with another energetic performance, zipping into pockets of space and taking on players. He combined well with Benteke on a couple of occasions, and is becoming an increasingly important member of this Liverpool team.
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