Bournemouth (H): Post Match

[topscorer]

Can in CM is still a bit of a concern - looked a bit lost tonight. We definitely lost impetus after Henderson went off, even if he is being almost totally negated in that more defensive role. The balance of the team really doesn't feel right to me - we're not getting the best out of Henderson, the central 3 isn't working yet and we still look like we're trying to figure stuff out with our attacking set-up.

The weak preseason and all the missing players during it means that our first few games are basically our preseason.

We've got away with it and we now have another week to prepare for a difficult game next Monday.

With the number of players we have I would hope that we could field a variety of midfield player combinations and look comfortable.

We cannot find one combination and that's the answer because it will be impossible to play the same 3 for every game of the season.

[tanner]

And our goal was a goal and not an offside.

How so?

[redmike65]

Benteke did much better tonight, won everything in the air, played some football as well. Unfortunately the two man middle with two floating creators didn't work at all, Liverpool needed a runner from deep (Hendo) and that's not possible without a deeper midfielder, so Lallana's was essentially a wasted position that should have gone to Can or Lucas.

[-V-]

Another 3 points but we got lucky. Can't be hanging onto 1 goal leads. Im sure we will improve as the weeks go on

I don't think Lallana was terrible or anything but it makes no sense playing him when we can play Emre Can and push Henderson higher up. Think Brendan is easing Can back in due to his summer football.

Jordan Ibe is a good player but his pace would be better used off the bench later in games. Hopefully we will see an attack of Firminho, Coutinho and Benteke soon.

[TheElephantMan]

I think there's more to Lallana, but he's not playing well. Apart from Benteke nobody really stood out for me tonight. The win was the important thing, but there's lots of work to be done. Ibe has been disappointing recently, but then he's only a kid.

[McDermotX]

Looks like Lithgow was over for another match.

[Liverpool]

Linda took a prematch stroll around the ground on her own*

*flanked by 10 security guards

[peekay]

Bournemouth were impressive. Eddie Howe is a really good manager. Will be interesting to see what he can do with slightly better quality players.

They are missing the extra bit of quality upfront but otherwise they are a well coached and well drilled team.

[baronvonskidmark]

If we play a midfield like that against Arsenal, they will be out of sight by half time. The captain is playing in his least effective position and we are still outnumbered at times in there - all while offering little support to Benteke, who actually looked great when he was given some support.

So far our attacking plan has been either give it to Coutinho and hope he can do something with it, or boot it high to Benteke. The scoreline today could very easily have been reversed. Certainly it is still early in the season, but we just don't seem to have any balance or functional shape. Hopefully things will improve, but I can't help but feel that the two results so far have papered over some cracks.

[Fosterbloke]

I hope we play Ings or Firmino alongside Benteke next week. Lucas needs to play (but won't) and Lallana needs binning. Moreno would make a very effective left winger.

[Fosterbloke]

Also I thought Bournemouth were excellent. If they sign someone like Berahino or Austin, I reckon they'd be top 10.

[Myo]

I know I must sound like a bleeding harpy and I know this has been the norm perhaps for the past few years but the home 'support' was again outplayed by the away travelling support... Anyone noticed that too or was it just the tube giving me that perception.. (ie. Our supporters only got a tad wee louder around the 70 minute mark..)

[Nicey]

Another great solid performance, that’s 6 points from 2 teams which will take points off the top 5 team. Thought Lallana had his best game in a Red shirt yesterday. Benteke is just bloody awesome, does everything he is supposed too. Can looks rusty and will probally need a run of games to get up to speed. Very happy with what I have seen so far this season.

[Nicey]

I know I must sound like a bleeding harpy and I know this has been the norm perhaps for the past few years but the home 'support' was again outplayed by the away travelling support... Anyone noticed that too or was it just the tube giving me that perception.. (ie. Our supporters only got a tad wee louder around the 70 minute mark..)

Our Home support is shocking .. and its getting worse game by game, embarrassingly really .. golf claps all round ...

What to do about it ?

I heard there is an untold amount of grumpy old *******s who almost turn there noses up at singing or people singing

[Fosterbloke]

I heard there is an untold amount of grumpy old *******s who almost turn there noses up at singing or people singing

It would explain the lack of posts during the match these days.