AN international player once told me: “One of the hardest and most annoying things is when you feel like some of your team-mates are playing in a completely different game on a completely different pitch to you.”
These words often smack me across the face when I watch Christian Benteke in a Liverpool shirt.
As an individual, the Belgian is an explosive powerhouse who can batter defences and deliver moments that make the difference. But as part of Jürgen Klopp’s collective, he looks like he’s engaged in a game of Minecraft while those around him are strumming away on Guitar Hero.
The German manager’s style, while different to that of Brendan Rodgers, requires many of the same fundamentals that made me wonder why Liverpool were willing to pay £32.5million for a striker so at odds with them. The countless questions in the summer are only heightened now, especially given Daniel Sturridge’s continued injury setbacks.
Benteke has not been a disaster for Liverpool, not even close. He has five goals in all competitions, the highest tally for the Reds, which is only matched by Philippe Coutinho this season.
But what is clear is that the side look at their fluid, swarming best when the 25-year-old is not in the starting line-up. The telepathy between Roberto Firmino, Adam Lallana and Coutinho in the 4-1 decimation of Manchester City illustrated how destructive Liverpool can be when they play to their attacking strengths: the high press, lightning-fast transitions, and rapid movement in tandem.
Similarly, the work of Sturridge and Divock Origi against Southampton was mesmerising. The positioning of the pair, as well as their desire to run into dangerous spaces they could effectively be supplied in, scorched the hosts at St Mary’s.
Granted both those performances came away from home against teams that offered Liverpool the chance to steal the ball and smash the game. But the offensive pressure and the unrelenting movement that marked both victories is not synonymous with Benteke.
Where the forward has looked at his most effective is off the bench to take advantage of a defence that has already been twisted and turned. At Stamford Bridge, his 26-minute cameo helped finish off the tireless effort in attack of Coutinho, Firmino and Lallana as Liverpool recorded a 3-1 victory. It was the work them then hurt them approach.
Both Benteke’s league goals under Klopp have come as a substitute — he was on the scoresheet in the 1-1 draw with Southampton prior to the win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
The former Aston Villa man did extract a penalty and get another for his tally in the 2-1 Europa League ousting of Bordeaux when featuring from the off, but Liverpool looked laboured rather than luminary in that encounter.
Benteke has started in the only two defeats of Klopp’s tenure: against Crystal Palace and Newcastle. Of course, that is not to suggest the failure was solely down to him, but it lends itself to the trend that the team are better when his name is not among the first 11.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z25eFfvdgLg
His other run-outs from the first whistle under the German read: 1-0 over Swansea and 2-2 with West Brom in the league, as well as the 1-0 win in Kazan.
Since Klopp’s October unveiling, Liverpool have blitzed 15 goals with Benteke as a sub, that number is diminished to seven with him in the starting line-up.
There have been several quotes, especially from ex-players, stating his team-mates should simply supply more crosses to him or play the ball directly to his feet. This makes sense, yes, but it goes against the natural instincts of the likes of Coutinho and Firmino for example, and is also not the best way to combat either a stacked defence or to exploit space speedily.
Consistent passes to feet promote a slower, stationary style which is easier to mark. Ahead of the hosting of West Brom, I asked Klopp in the press conference about the key elements his side require to break down the opposition more regularly: “It needs ideas, it needs creativity, it needs movement, it needs flexibility.”
He has been preaching the speedy spotting and capitalisation of space. To move, move, move. To give the other side hell. To go full-throttle.
The other important fact to mention is that Liverpool have been crossing more. In the eight league matches under Klopp of which Benteke has started four, the Reds average 27.25 crosses per match.
In the other four, that figure is just 16.25 per match. The service can be sharper, yes. But Benteke needs to be better too.
The club’s second most expensive signing in its history too often drops back, when he needs to run beyond. Stays passive when his help is needed in the press…
Liverpool have been trying to play to his strengths but, put simply, Liverpool’s best play and his require different things.
Klopp has defended Benteke, and he has insisted the striker can flourish on Merseyside if patience is practiced.
The number nine definitely does have a role to play, but at the moment, it looks like it’s a supporting rather than a starring one.
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Pics: Propaganda-Photo–David Rawcliffe
Klopp is right. There has to be patience. It’s just a bit frustrating how so many people are willing to be patient with one player but so viciously critical of another.
Honestly I feel this is being over discussed and over interpreted so much so that it have now become a “thing”…..
We talk about fast fluid football under Klopp which is true if we use the City game as a blueprint..
How quickly we forget that Benteke also played and pressed extremely well in an excellent performance at Arsenal this season under Rodgers.
So the question is not if it should be when does it all click together..
The team is young and players are still learning their roles..Combined with the fact that the manager is new, players are new (including Benteke), players are constantly injured and the team is playing way too many games without training ground time..It is way too early to make these judgements..
They all need training ground time..
a good point, James. about young team with new team mates and new manager (and coaching staff too), not to forget a new level of expectations from all of us…
let’s see the next 2 games when Klopp has 2 full weeks of training with the full team, including Benteke…
Many of us expressed concerns when we were heavily linked to Benteke in the summer, not because he’s a bad player, far from it, but because he didn’t suit the style of play.
Think of the best strikers we’ve had down the years; Rush, Dalglish, Fowler, Owen, Torres, Suarez, Sturridge etc, they’re all quite fast and very mobile.
Can anyone name a handful of successful big target men type strikers that we’ve had?? Maybe Crouch or Heskey for periods?
Our best strikers have been hardworking, mobile and fast, none of which seems to fit Benteke at the min.
Personally I wanted us to buy Aubameyang in the summer but he’s now signed a new contract extension.
Benteke needs an attack geared and centred towards him. Are we prepared to do that?? I’m not sure.
John Toshack
Yea Rich, that’s about it though.
Erik Meijer!!!…(to me he is a success, based on commitment alone..even joined in fans celebrations wearing his old Liverpool shirt even long after his retirement :)
Tosh had Keegan buzzing around him, though. They were the ultimate duo.
Stats Schmatz.
Agree with James. No problem with the article though; well written with some excellent points – par for the course for Melissa and TAW – but the ease in which we slip into that short-termism is a mad issue for me. We all talk about it, we all recognise it yet we all succumb to it. Then again, I’m with Atko and we’re gonna win the league this season, so I’m fucking mad in the the opposite direction.
Would concede that Tekkers has looked a bit of a mis-fit recently, possibly post-injury related, but he’s also an absolute beast with quality in him – and all against the backdrop of fixture madness as James highlighted. Maybe we’re just desperate to see his next goal. So far they’ve been of a type that stuns the opposition fans into silence, and I want more of that.
Bobby bothers me more than Christian… but willing to give him time as well. Wondering if the language barrier could be playing a part, or his disbelief at the just how jarg the weather is here. In any case, need’s to pull his 29 million pound finger out and just smash someone in a 50/50 – would buy him some time (on the injury table probably, knowing our luck)
A third of Benteke’s impressive PL goals tally have come from his head.
John Aldridge was saying this week that when he was a young he was taught when the ball is about to be crossed to get to the back post and come on to the ball to meet it.
Benteke is always stagnant in the middle waiting for it. No movement whatsoever. The result being he gets under the ball and heads it over. I think it’s worrying all round.
This is going to be like Rodgers all over again….it’s just going to take a lot longer for a lot more people to see what some of us can see already, i.e. he’s just never going to be a long term success for lfc.
Ha yeah. It’s becoming that way.
You know me, I always have the hope it may work out but I’m with you on this one until I see something more that changes my mind.
Benteke can be an impact sub, a Plan B, ~ an expensive one maybe ~ or he can play as a front 2 with Sturridge.
A good point by Robin about Aldo’s movement to time his headers (rather to time his runs to get that opportunity to head the ball), and how static Benteke has been.
I am somewhat confused though because Benteke played an excellent pressing game against Arsenal 1at half…
We are not rich enough to entertain a £32mil sub/plan b.
He can become an effective striker IF we play to his strengths which means changing our style of play.
But 32.5m has been spent, therefore whether this fully paid up ‘asset’ is utilized as Plan A or Plan B should no longer be determined by his price tag.
example: like buying a very expensive Range Rover, but ended up using it for the weekend country side drives, because it is more ‘practical’ to use a smaller/faster/easier to park car for daily drive to work.
No Josh.
If it’s determined that an asset such as he will not be used that often then FSG will sell recouping as much of the money as possible and buy a cheaper plan b/sub.
As stated, we are not rich enough to have a £32.5mil sub/plan b.
Understood your point (but let’s agree to disagreeing now :).
one very positive thing is that our world class Klopp will never ever make anyone as 2nd choice or Plan B. he needs all of them to be battle ready at all time, and feel the love to win the matches for whenever called upon. it shows with Origi in Southampton.
I may have used the term Plan B, but it might as well be Plan A1 vs another variation of Plan A2 in Klopp’s mind (I don’t know)
but one thing for sure is we would rather have Sturridge/Benteke (and ings and origi) playing for us, not against…
We might enable to recoup £20m from Benteke sale…but can we get another PlanA striker with that amount? possibly not..therefore if I were FSG and transfer committee I would stick with Big Ben…(don’t forget, Klopp wanted him before Benteke joined Villa)
Lets be clear here, I’m not saying we should sell Benteke, I’m saying if he’s not first choice he will be sold because we are not rich enough to keep him on the bench. That is all.
He probably should be first choice considering the lack of pitch time Sturridge is there but it means focusing our style of play to suit him. However so far Klopp has preferred Firmino in the big games and Benteke has flattered to deceive.
I’m hoping Klopp can get the best outta him though.
Based on results and style of play, my preference is Firmino or Origi to lead the line whenever Sturridge is not available.
If Benteke can contribute to our team in terms of both style and substance in even 40~50% of the games this season, I would still consider him as success. (a qualified success that is). cheers
oh just fuck off for christ’s sake you miserable dreary, boring, obvious twat.
I cannot be the only one who is fed up to the fucking back teeth of your pious, arrogant buffonery. Your ‘i have been saying for ages (insert negative shite here that may happen at some point in the future).
Yes, just because we wasted 32.5m on an overrated striker in Benteke, let’s also waste 29m (Firmino) as well as Coutinho and Lallana as well, by transforming our entire style of play, and “playing to the strengths” of a target man who’s even bad at being a target man.
Good article, Melissa. As always. Food for thought. Much appreciated.
This…
“Klopp has defended Benteke, and he has insisted the striker can flourish on Merseyside if patience is practiced.”
…all day. The Boss is boss. He’ll figure out a way or cut his losses. Patience is required.
I may be biased as I continually argued against signing Benteke in the first place and hail Sturridge as one of the best strikers in Europe, but for all the talk of shifting Sturridge due to his injury problems there is no way that I would consider it while Benteke remains on the books.
Nevermind the fact that we would not get ££ value for a fit Sturridge and would find it very difficult to find a replacement on his level. I would happily take the £20m that we could likely get for Benteke (+ whatever we could get for Balotelli) and look to reinvest that in a partner/backup to Sturridge, rather than hoping that a similar fee could find an adequate replacement for him.
All points made on this website are in some ways correct and incorrect to a certain extent. When we purchased Benteke it was in the thinking he would line up alongside our main Striker Sturridge, but unfortunetly due to his injuries that has not been possible. Therefore in some parts of matches we have to cater to Benteke’s needs, in other words cross more often with pace and get Benteke to run into the area at the last minute therefore confusing the opposition defences,causing problems and uncertanty also leading to chances for other team mates in and around the penaly area. We have to find a way of maximising Benteke as he can be deadly if given good service from wingers and Full backs. Also another point I want to make, I dont understand what has happened with Roberto Firmino as he seems to have lost all confidence and ability that he showed in the Man City destruction, is he not being used properly or is there other issues that need addressing, this problem also needs solving Coutinho has the ability and skill to create for both Benteke, Firmino and Lallana if given the room on the pitch to display his magic, here’s hoping we batter Watford and climb the table as our rivals have dropped problems today, need to get closer to 4th spot before the new year and then just make sure we beat our rivals at Anfield as we have good results against them away. Come on you Mighty Reds.
A few other points I wish to make. Liverpool made a good start to this season in the Rodgers era. We looked more solid defensively and getting a goal in front we were able to win matches. Klopp has re-energized and has given the team belief they can on there day defeat the best in this league, but games against the so called lesser/weaker teams especially at Anfield need to be won in order we have a good chance of getting the 4th place and Champions League Football. As Liverpool fans we have gotten used to ups and downs over the last 10-15 years in League and in the cup competitions, we have a decent enough squad of players that can be successful, lets be patient and not jeer and boo at Anfield when they make mistakes, give them confidence and morale and Im sure this team is destined for great success, even if not this season next 2-3 years Im sure were going to challenge for the Championship and bring it back to Anfield were it belonged for so long in the 70’s, 80’s and early 90’s. I salute all Liverpool supporters and say lets get behind this team and push on the greatness again.