A controversial winner from $77 million signing Christian Benteke has maintained English football team Liverpool's perfect start to the Premier League season.
Anfield, home of Liverpool Football Club. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
The 1-0 defeat of Bournemouth at Anfield was tinged with controversy, as there were shades of offside about the Belgian's first half strike, and the seaside club earlier had a goal disallowed for a debatable foul.
Liverpool join Manchester City, Manchester United and Leicester City on six points from two games, but midfielder James Milner said the new boys had given them a stern test.
"We knew it'd be tough against a team that have just come up," Milner said.
"They lost their first game but they had a positive performance and we knew it'd be tough. They're a good team, they play football, they like to press high.
"We know we can play better but it's two wins out of two and there's still room for improvement."
Having failed to score in their first-ever top flight game against Villa last week, Bournemouth were unlucky to have Tommy Elphick's header ruled out for a foul on Dejan Lovren.
Liverpool then began to assert their authority but their goal should not have been allowed.
Jordan Henderson's teasing cross evaded everyone, including the desperate lunge of Coutinho who was clearly lingering in an offside position, before Benteke converted his 12th goal in 13 league matches at the far post.