Christian Benteke’s controversial first half goal proved the difference as Liverpool maintained their 100 per cent start to the season with a 1-0 win over Bournemouth.
A desperately unlucky Cherries side were denied an opener when Tommy Elphick’s goal was disallowed, before Benteke scored despite Philippe Coutinho appearing to interfere with play from an offside position.
Jordan Henderson went close from 20 yards before Coutinho wasted a fine opportunity as the half drew to a close.
Matt Ritchie struck a post as the visitors pushed for an equaliser in a cagey second half, but, despite Benteke hitting the bar in injury time, the Reds clung on for their second unconvincing victory of the campaign.
In the first ever league meeting between the sides, the Cherries began well and will feel aggrieved not to have gone ahead after referee Craig Pawson adjudged Elphick to have fouled Dejan Lovren before heading past Simon Mignolet.
Bournemouth’s pace was unsettling the Liverpool backline and they will dispute the manner in which the Reds took the lead.
Henderson’s inswinging cross was tapped in at the back post by Benteke, who had just flashed a shot narrowly wide, but not before Coutinho had made a movement towards the ball despite being several yards offside.
The goal, aside from its element of controversy, then settled the home side and Henderson clipped the top of the crossbar with a fine dipping half volley.
Coutinho squandered a great opening to double the lead just before the break, skewing wide when the ball fell kindly to the Brazilian ten yards out.
After half time, Ritchie went about levelling proceedings and had a number of sightings before a a stringing drive clipped the outside of the post.
Coutinho and Milner then went close for Liverpool but the Reds were hanging on after a labouring Henderson had to go off prematurely.
While Bournemouth’s pressure was relentless they failed to muster a clear-cut opportunity to equalise, and Benteke perhaps should have doubled his tally for the night when he hit the bar from Clyne’s cross.
Christian Benteke's controversial winner on his Anfield debut ensured Liverpool maintained their 100% start to the new season with an unconvincing victory over Premier League newcomers Bournemouth.
Liverpool's £32.5m summer signing from Aston Villa turned home from close range in front of the Kop after 26 minutes - but Philippe Coutinho was clearly offside as he also tried to reach Jordan Henderson's cross.
It meant a second successive narrow defeat for Bournemouth, who showed plenty of confidence and promise and were also frustrated when Tommy Elphick's early header was ruled out by referee Craig Pawson for a foul on Dejan Lovren.
Eddie Howe's side had plenty of possession but rarely troubled Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet and it was Benteke who came closest to adding a second on his impressive Anfield bow when he struck the bar from close range in the last minute.
It was a case of job done for Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers in front of watching owner John W Henry with a second win and second clean sheet of the new season.
Big man Benteke delivers
Benteke was Liverpool's biggest summer investment and Rodgers needs him to deliver - and fast - to ease the pain of last season.
And the early signs were very promising, not just with his winning goal, but also his all-round play.
The giant Belgian showed his power in the air on several occasions, demonstrating a physical presence that will give a Reds side with a possession-heavy game an added dimension.
Benteke also showed good team awareness and pace on several occasions, his link with Coutinho looked like it could be highly productive as the season progresses.
Bournemouth can take heart
It has been a hard landing for Bournemouth in the Premier League with defeats by Aston Villa and now Liverpool, but there is plenty for Howe to take away from this visit to one of the biggest stages in English football.
The Cherries may need to solve a lack of goals in coming months but they were not daunted by Liverpool or the Kop and played with a confident passing style that will certainly not look out of place in the top flight.
It will be a tough season for Bournemouth and that early table does not look good, but on this evidence there is not the slightest reason for despondency for Howe and his players other than in the pain of another defeat. They were excellent for long spells.
New rule same old problems
The offside rule has been tweaked to supposedly clear up the grey area of when a player is interfering with play only for Bournemouth to find themselves the victim of a situation this was meant to avoid when Benteke scored Liverpool's winner.
The new rule states "a player in an offside position shall be penalised if he clearly attempts to play a ball which is close to him when this action impacts on an opponent or makes an obvious action which clearly impacts on the ability of an opponent to play the ball."
A very offside Coutinho was clearly trying to play the ball when he stretched to Henderson's cross, just failing but then seeing the ball fall for Benteke to turn in.
Man of the Match - Christian Benteke (Liverpool)
The stats you need to know
- Liverpool remain unbeaten in all competitions against Bournemouth (W5 D2).
- Since his Liverpool debut in the Premier League, only Steven Gerrard (25) has more Premier League assists for Liverpool than Jordan Henderson (22).
- Henderson has 10 assists in the Premier League since the start of last season; more than any other English player.
- Christian Benteke's goal in this game was his 50th in English club football (all comps).
- Benteke has now scored 12 goals in his last 13 Premier League appearances.
- This is the sixth time in Premier League history that Liverpool have won their opening two games of the season.
- Liverpool have now won four successive Premier League games played on a Monday.
- Simon Mignolet has kept more clean sheets than any other Premier League goalkeeper in 2015.
Up next
It's been a good start for Liverpool - results wise - but they face their first big test of the season next Monday when they travel to Arsenal, where they lost 4-1 in April.
For Bournemouth it's a trip to the capital on Saturday where they will seek their first points of the season at West Ham United.
LINEUP, BOOKINGS (5) & SUBSTITUTIONS (6)
Liverpool
- 22 Mignolet
- 02 Clyne
- 37 Skrtel
- 06 Lovren
- 12 Gomez Booked
- 07 Milner
- 14 Henderson (Can - 52' )
- 10 Coutinho (Moreno - 81' )
- 20 Lallana
- 33 Ibe (Firmino - 70' )
- 09 Benteke
Substitutes
- 04 K Touré
- 11 Firmino
- 18 Moreno
- 23 Can
- 27 Origi
- 28 Ings
- 34 Bogdan
AFC Bournemouth
- 01 Boruc
- 02 Francis
- 05 Elphick
- 03 Cook Booked
- 11 Daniels
- 30 Ritchie Booked
- 32 O'Kane Booked (Gosling - 87' )
- 06 Surman
- 10 Gradel (Smith - 81' )
- 13 Wilson
- 17 King (Tomlin - 61' Booked )
Substitutes
- 04 Gosling
- 07 Pugh
- 14 Mings
- 15 Smith
- 23 Federici
- 24 Tomlin
- 25 Distin
Ref: Craig Pawson
Att: 44,102
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