Liverpool kept up their winning start to the Premier League season by claiming a 1-0 victory over Bournemouth.

The Cherries found the back of the net in the fifth minute, but Tommy Elphick's header was ruled out for a foul on Dejan Lovren.

Liverpool then took the lead when Christian Benteke turned in Jordan Henderson's cross, but Philippe Coutinho appeared to be offside and interfering with play in the build-up.

Bournemouth pushed for an equaliser in the second half and they came close to scoring when Matt Ritchie fired against the post.

In the final minute Benteke placed an effort against the bar, as the Reds held on to claim all three points.

Here, Sports Mole rates the best and worst performances from Anfield.

Goal

Simon Mignolet: The keeper only had one save to make, but he was a calming presence and dealt with everything that came his way. (7/10)

Defence

Nathaniel Clyne: Assured display from the full-back. He got forward at every chance he could and delivered some fine crosses into the box. (8/10)

Dejan Lovren: The Croatian was unconvincing and struggled once again. His team should have fallen behind when Elphick out-muscled him and headed into the net, but a foul was given instead. (5/10)

Martin Skrtel: Solid performance at the back and coped well as his team came under heavy pressure in the second half. (6/10)

Joe Gomez: Another good display at left-back from the teenager. He was rarely beaten down his flank and provided great support for Ibe. (7/10)

Midfield

Jordan Henderson: Set up the winning goal for Benteke with a fine cross and almost grabbed a goal of his own moments later. He was taken off just minutes into the second half and it coincided with the visitors gaining a foothold in the middle. (7/10)

James Milner: Worked hard for his team throughout the evening and was a calming influence on his teammates, but did misplace a few passes. (6/10)

Philippe Coutinho: The Brazilian showed his class in the first half and was involved in all of his side's best moves. He did not see as much of the ball after the break and Liverpool's goal should have been ruled out due to him trying to reach Henderson's cross from an offside position. (8/10)

Attack

Adam Lallana: Struggled to get into the match and made very little impact throughout the evening. (6/10)

Jordan Ibe: Lively performance from the winger who caused plenty of problems for the visitors. He got in behind the defence on a number of occasions and always looked a threat on the ball. (7/10)

Christian Benteke: Led the line well for his team throughout the evening and proved to be a handful. He also scored the winning goal on his first match at Anfield and should have added a second when he hit the bar in the final minute. (8/10)

Substitutes

Emre Can: Replaced Henderson in the midfield and was reliable on the ball. (6/10)

Alberto Moreno: The Spaniard produced an energetic display following his late arrival. (6/10)

Roberto Firmino: Did not make any impact when he came on for the last 20 minutes. (6/10)

Goal

Artur Boruc: Had little to do all evening and can hardly be blamed for Benteke's goal. (6/10)

Defence

Simon Francis: Was given a tough night by Ibe, but generally did a decent job against the winger. (6/10)

Steve Cook: Not handed too many problems at the back, but made some important clearances. (6/10)

Tommy Elphick: Unfortunate to see his early header ruled out for a foul on Lovren and battled well with Benteke all evening. (7/10)

Charlie Daniels: Was beaten by Clyne down his flank on a couple of occasions, but was much better going forward and flashed in a number of teasing deliveries. (7/10)

Midfield

Andrew Surman: Struggled to deal with the movement of Coutinho, but did make some important tackles. (6/10)

Max Gradel: Was unable to produce his best form and looked tired before his late substitution. (6/10)

Matt Ritchie: The Scot was Bournemouth's best player at Anfield. He was a constant danger and always looked to get involved. His powerful strike against the post was also the closest his team came to grabbing an equaliser. (8/10)

Eunan O'Kane: Decent performance in the centre of the pitch and helped to protect his defence with some important blocks. (7/10)

Attack

Callum Wilson: Looked lively in the opening stages of the match, but gradually faded and was unable to cause the Liverpool defence any real problems. (6/10)

Joshua King: Linked up well with Ritchie, but struggled to get into any goalscoring positions and was eventually replaced. (6/10)

Substitutes

Lee Tomlin: Was lively following his introduction, but made little impact. (6/10)

Adam Smith: Saw little of the ball when he came on. (6/10)

Dan Gosling: Came on too late to make any difference. (6/10)

Written by
Alex Meyers