EDDIE Howe lodged his disappointment at the decision which had started a Liverpool landslide and insisted: “I don’t think it was a particularly hard call to make.”

Cherries were thumped 4-0 by a Mo Salah-inspired Liverpool at Vitality Stadium after the Reds had got off the mark in controversial fashion midway through the first half.

Just as Cherries were gaining a foothold in the game, the officials failed to pick up that Salah had taken up an offside position prior to firing past goalkeeper Asmir Begovic.

Frontman Salah later completed his hat-trick with two second-half efforts, which came either side of a Steve Cook own goal.

Howe has spoken of his mixed feelings surrounding the video assistant referee system, which is set to be used in the Premier League from next season.

And asked if he longed for it in situations such as the first Liverpool goal, Howe told the Daily Echo: “You long for it when it’s on your side and you really wish it wasn’t there when it’s on the other. That’s football for you.”

The boss added: “I do think the officials should have seen that. I don’t think it was a particularly hard call to make.

“I had a gut feeling at the time that it may well have been offside but the flag didn’t go up.

“Seeing it at half-time, it looked quite clear cut. I don’t see how he (the referee’s assistant) has not seen it.

“Decisions have gone against us in the past few weeks. We had a penalty (not awarded) at Manchester City and you could go on – there’s more. But it’s one of those things.”

Howe said everyone at the club would support Steve Cook after the centre-half endured a tough second half.

Cook, whose impressive form this campaign has seen him linked with an England call-up, was culpable for all three of Liverpool’s goals after the break.

“He’s been excellent this season and we back him,” said Howe, of the man who is yet to miss a minute of Premier League action in 2018-19.

“We put our arms around him and support him because no one goes out to intentionally make a mistake and he’s been so reliable.

“You have to look at the season as a whole. He has been there for us when we needed him and has been a leader of the team. He has been a rock at the back.

“You have moments which don’t go your way. Unfortunately, every mistake he made today seemed to cost us and sometimes you just have days like that.

“It’s football. It’s professional sport. You are going to have good days and bad days.

“The most important thing is how you react to those moments and knowing Cookie, he is going to be fine.”