Liverpool hosted Bournemouth in their inagural 2015-16 Anfield match. The surprise in the starting XI today was that there were no changes. Brendan Rodgers put out what he believed to be his strongest XI, which is good to see for Liverpool fans to ensure the three points.
Rotating the squad to give games to Emre Can, Danny Ings and/or Divock Origi must’ve been an attractive option but Rodgers understands with the Europa League and League Cup right around the corner, opportunities will be aplenty.
A new season with the same renditions of “You’ll Never Walk Alone” bellowing through a gorgeous Liverpool night.
Bournemouth, truth be told, were easily the better side through the first 15 minutes of the match, even having a goal ruled back for a foul.
But, from then on out, especially in the first half, Liverpool grabbed the game and took it to Bournemouth.
Christian Benteke had the winning touch, scoring a goal that should’ve been called back for Coutinho being offside.
Nevertheless, Liverpool were unlucky to have not scored more before the first half interval.
The ground got tense as Bournemouth created a few moments of worry late on, but they never looked like equalising.
Player ratings ahead.
Don’t be shy in telling me how many times I was wrong.
Simon Mignolet, 7: Mignolet didn’t have all that much to do, but when he was called upon he was solid and secure. He dealt with crosses well and his handling was above average. There were a few attempts that he corralled when last year he might’ve parried away. His night, and the game in general, could’ve been so different had one particular Matt Richie attempt found its course recalibrated by four inches to the left rather than crashing onto the post.
Nathanial Clyne, 7: Clyne enjoyed his Anfield debut. We all knew about his attacking ability, but his defending was top quality tonight. He moved forward more so than he was able to last week and he flashed his merit in that third but he shined in his defensive third.
Martin Skrtel, 5: Skrtel was suspect. Who’d have thought it’d be Lovren as the calm, courageous centre-half? Skrtel simply wasn’t good enough tonight which should elicit the thought that maybe, just maybe, it wouldn’t be cancerous nor suicidal to try Lovren and Sakho together, provided Lovren continues his fine play.
Dejan Lovren, 7: Irrespective that the general consensus on NBC Sports Network (USA) was that the disallowed Bournemouth goal should’ve been allowed, as well as calling Lovren soft and weak, I’m not convinced it wasn’t an obvious foul. Lovren, as mentioned a few lines prior, played well. The Dejan Lovren revival train chugs along!
Joe Gomez, 7: The 18-year-old right footed centre-back thrown out to left full-back built on his impressive, solid Liverpool debut with an impressive, solid Anfield debut.
He doesn’t back down from a fight and he hasn’t committed the stupid, useless fouls typically found in barely legal defenders. Gomez also hasn’t had any mental lapses, hasn’t lost track of a runner and hasn’t put the rest of the back line in awkward situations thanks to his doing.
James Milner, 6: Milner and Henderson are seemingly ubiquitous on the pitch and their partnership
will only continue to grow. Milner played like he was being controlled by a 12-year-old FIFA gamer who refuses to let go of the sprint button, except he never gets tired. Did anyone notice him even breathe heavily? Let me know when you do because that’s a rare sight. When he was on the ball, he showed his experienced quality. Milner and Liverpool are perfect for each other: the club needs the player and the player needs to consistently play 90 minutes to preform at his best.
Jordan Henderson, 7 (OFF 52′): Captain Henderson stamped his beautiful presence on this match before unfortunately being withdrawn due to an apparent injury. Liverpool fans and Arsenal haters alike will hope he can shake it off before Liverpool travel to The Emirates next Monday. Henderson’s assist was sublime and he clipped the bar on an incredibly difficult first time effort after Milner fizzed a pass into his shin. The standard work rate and tenacity was prevalent as well. Very good, well rounded match for Hendo.
Philippe Coutinho, 6 (OFF 81′): No magic for Coutinho tonight but he still a productive evening on
Merseyside. On another day, he might’ve had a brace and an assist. But, such is football, such is life. Coutinho was on the ball in dangerous positions all night which is a great recipe for success for Liverpool. Missing a pair of chances that fell to his left foot, maybe he’ll hit the training ground this week to hoping to in still some more confidence the foot he uses almost exclusively just to walk on in a football match.
Adam Lallana, 7: Lallana’s movement is next level. The amount of times I watched him spin a defender and sprint into open space that’d gone unnoticed from a Bournemouth point of view was too high to remember. His work rate, as always, was immense. His touch was silk and his he put it together in the final third tonight. It’s great to see Lallana play the full 90.
Jordon Ibe, 6 (OFF 70′): A decent game from the 19-year-old on the day. Coutinho found him with a few cutting through balls but open real estate was, again, difficult to come by for Ibe. His willingness to track back and help out defensively at his young age are great traits. Whilst attacking, his ability to put his foot on the ball and make a safe, smart ball to hold possession and not dribble into a corridor are also great traits. I look forward to the first match this season that he has true space and multiple chances to dice up his full-back.
Christian Benteke, 8 (MoM): Clinical finish from Liverpool’s number nine on his Anfield debut in the 26th minute. Henderson’s service on the goal was fantastic as was his ability to stay onside whilst timing his run in to put away the cross. Apart from the goal, he was extremely impressive. His physical prowess and aerial ability will always be there, in the air but more importantly were his positive contributions to the buildup and pressing. Today, he looked worth every penny of the £32.5m that John Henry pulled out of his pocket to pry away from Aston Villa.
SUBS:
Emre Can, 6 (ON 52′): Most fans would’ve expected to see Can in the team from the opening whistle but he came on and played a solid 40 minutes when Henderson’s injury caused him to be withdrawn. He made a few powerful runs and some powerful tackles. His footballing ability was solid while his hair put in a man of the match appearance.
Roberto Firmino, 5 (ON 70′): A man that Liverpool put nearly £30m into would be expected to have had a better influence on proceedings in 20 minutes. I had to consistently remind myself the Firmino was on the pitch. Not a good sign.
Alberto Moreno, N/A (ON 81′): Moreno impressed in his limited time. He worked very hard for the team and won a free-kick on the edge of the Bournemouth box late on. He was restless and offered an escape valve while bothering any Cherries player he could come within contact with.
