1-0, min. 26 - Benteke.
Liverpool clinched their second win from two games thanks to a first goal from Christian Benteke, as they beat Bournemouth 1-0 at Anfield on Monday night.
The Reds named an unchanged side to the team that managed to scrape a 1-0 win at Stoke City, thanks to a moment of brilliance, from Philippe Coutinho.
And though the recently-promoted Cherries matched them toe-to-toe for large periods, Benteke's 26th minute effort - converting from Jordan Henderson's cross with Philippe Coutinho seemingly in an offside position.
Henderson himself hit the bar a few minutes after, whilst Benteke struck the bar after Nathaniel Clyne's cross late into the second-half - as Brendan Rodgers' side held on to make it six points from six.
Strong start from the visitors and a sigh of relief from the Kop
Both teams came flying out of the blocks, with each team earning a corner within the first three minutes - but it was Bournemouth who looked the more dangerous in the opening periods.
Regardless, it was Jordon Ibe who had the first chance of the game, with a shot from the edge of the box, but it went well wide.
Moments later, the visitors actually had the ball in the back of the net. Just gfive minutes in to the game, Tommy Elphick rose well to meet a corner and managed to beat Simon Mignolet.
However, the goal was harshly ruled out, due to Elphick being deemed to have fouled Dejan Lovren, just before the ball met his head.
The home crowd quickly jeered and taunted the away contingent, who had celebrated in thinking their first ever top-flight away game had started in fine fashion - but they knew themselves that they were lucky to have gotten away with such a contentious decision.
Bournemouth on top
Liverpool were frustrated as they were unable to create many chances, and it was Bournemouth who had plenty of the ball as they continued to have the better of the game.
Eddie Howe's men kept coming at the home side, but failed to challenge Mignolet due to an inability to create any clear-cut chances and the Reds' defence holding their own.
Liverpool eventually managed to get a sight on goal, when Christian Benteke blazed his shot wide - but he would fare better off with his efforts only a few minutes later.
Home debut goal for Benteke
Liverpool started to turn the tables around, coming at Bournemouth, rather than letting them have all the fun - and they soon took advantage.
Henderson's short corner was poorly cleared, and the ball came back to him, thanks to a pass from Clyne, where he whipped it in first time. At the back post, £32.5 million man, Benteke was there waiting to tap home his first goal for Liverpool, in front of the Kop.
The goal was controversial as Coutinho was offside when the ball was played, and he attempted to go for the ball just in front of Benteke. Under the new offside rules, the goal should have been disallowed - but the Reds were let off.
Almost immediately after, they almost doubled their lead after a well worked free-kick lead to Henderson having a shot, on the edge of the area, that just went over the bar.
Coutinho should've then made it 2-0 to Liverpool, when his pass was intercepted in the box, but the ball fell back to him, around 12-yards from goal, but his first time left-foot effort was shot wide of the post as Liverpool ended the first half well on top.
No changes at the break
Neither team made any changes at half-time, and Bournemouth started the second half just as they started the first.
Within the opening five minutes, they had two sights at goal. One which forced Mignolet into a comfortable save, and another which went high over the bar.
A mazy run from Coutinho was Liverpool's first shot of the second half, which led to a corner - but they largely struggled as the visitors continued to impress.
Just six minutes into the second half, new Liverpool captain Henderson was forced off due to injury, and was replaced by Emre Can.
Even still, Howe's side remained strong and on the hour mark, some good play led to Matt Ritchie having a fiercely-struck first-time shot at the edge of the box. With Mignolet seeminhly beaten, the post denied Bournemouth their equaliser as the Reds held on.
Firmino's first Anfield appearance
With just 20 minutes remaining, Anfield rose to welcome Roberto Firmino on his first home appearance. The Brazilian replaced Ibe, making his second substitute appearance for the club, following his big money move in the summer.
A relatively quiet 10 minutes ended when Liverpool made their second substitution. Coutinho was brought off, and Alberto Moreno came on, to make his first appearance of the season.
Moreno showed he was fired up, and he was ready to get his place back in the Liverpool team, by making a numerous of impressive tackles and interceptions.
Just seconds before stoppage time, Benteke had a golden chance to make it 2-0, and to seal the three points with a few minutes remaining. As the cross from Clyne came in, the defender at the near-post missed the ball, and Benteke's half volley, yards from the goal, rose and hit the bar after good work from Artur Boruc.
Another unconvincing performance, but another three points
After a nervy four minutes of stoppage time, Liverpool held on and got the victory they needed to send them into third on goal difference.
Liverpool fans and players were delighted when they heard the final whistle. Two games into the season and Rodgers' men, have won both.
It was not a convincing win, but the three points was all that mattered for Liverpool, and the pressure is now eased slightly before they travel to Arsenal next Monday in a monumental clash.
