ADAM Smith says Mohamed Salah missing his penalty against Cherries on Saturday was “justice”, adding: “I just don’t really understand the rules.”

With Cherries leading 1-0 through Philip Billing’s first-half strike, Liverpool were awarded a penalty when Diogo Jota’s header struck the outstretched arm of Smith in the penalty area.

Referee John Brooks was sent to the pitchside monitor by VAR Tony Harrington and awarded a spot-kick.

However, Salah failed to find the target from 12 yards for the first time in the Premier League, with Cherries seeing out the remaining 20 minutes to secure a vital 1-0 victory.

Reflecting on the penalty decision, Smith told BBC Radio Solent: “I’ve seen it back. I mean, my arm does come up, but I’m facing the wrong way.

“As a defender, you’re taught to jump and keep your arms up if anyone goes into the side of you. I just don’t really understand the rules to be honest. Defenders can’t jump without their arms.

“Even when I was speaking to (Jordan) Henderson and Robbo (Andrew Robertson) for Liverpool, they saw it on the big screen and they turned around to me and said ‘that’s harsh’.

“Obviously it’s a matter of opinions but yet again referees go against little old Bournemouth."

Asked how he felt when Salah missed the spot-kick, Smith added: “It’s just justice, honestly. It’s what should have happened.

“They didn’t deserve to score that, so it’s nice that he missed it.”

The win came a week on from both sides going through wildly contrasting emotions last time out.

Cherries were beaten deep into stoppage time by league leaders Arsenal, while Liverpool thrashed rivals Manchester United 7-0 at Anfield.

Asked how Cherries picked themselves up from the devastating 3-2 loss at Emirates Stadium, Smith said: “I’m not going to lie, it was tough for the lads after that loss to Arsenal.

“It took a good few days to recover, personally as well for me.

“It was one of the toughest moments I’ve had on the football pitch if I’m honest, the way that happened.

“But credit to the lads and everyone involved to come back from that and beat a team that beat Man United 7-0 last week and also, as everyone can remember, the 9-0 that they beat us as well.

“It just shows what type of characters we have in this squad and that’s going to help us to survive in this league.”

Cherries are up off the bottom of the table but are still in the relegation zone return to action on Saturday, travelling to Aston Villa (3pm).