So having spent half the transfer window being blasted by Jimmy, a Mr Bentekkers is showing an appetite to work hard, make run as well as his trademark heading and holding the ball up. In the first game, Brenden decided long ball was the way to go which totally did not suit Liverpool. Benteke was isolated but still won his headers though no one was around to pick up the pieces. He made intelligent runs but Coutinho was well off form with his passing. Even so he was showing an aptitude to slotting into the pass and move way of Pool. Second game Benteke did it all, he score, unlucky hit the bar, made more intelligent runs, held the ball up well and harassed the Bournemouth defence. He's kept his 1 in 2 record in tact and he is looking like the striker than Liverpool missed last year. What i really want to know is, how does Jimmy feel he's got on?
Thought he was brilliant today, keeps that up and will be very impressed come end of the season. Id like to see us be more dangerous from crosses, I know he scored today but with his head we haven't really given him much supply. Dont agree reed he was unlucky to hit the bar, he should be putting that away and at least hitting the target and could have cost us, but all strikers miss chances. Aguero missed 4 yesterday before getting 1 and was hailed so can't complain too much. Ive been impressed by his movement off the ball, that's one thing I was a little bit unsure on but he's working hard so far. His touch when played to him in the air is exceptional and he brings it down and even has the odd flick, just needs to work on his first touch when the ball is fizzed in on the floor. Overalll very happy, hopefully saying similar this time next week when he's torn the arsenal back line a new one
We lacked that required presence in big games last season, We needed players to step up and create and they simply did not. Let's see what Bentekkers, Milner, Firmino or one of our older players can do against the Gooners. That will be a true test of how we have started.
I have to say I was disappointed. In out players who once again failed to get beyond him on the expectation he would win the ball in the air. Not once on numerous flick ons and knock downs did we get on it... Rodgers hasn't a clue.
True. CM area looks weak for sure. Not that Jimmy will be shocked. Not happy with Coutinho positioning. Lallana continuing to just be lallana. Can must come in v arsenal.
4-3-3 needed IMO with Lucas holding but no hope of that so yes let's see if Can can sit and dictate as the deepest of a 3 man midfield. I'd then go for Ings and Bentekkers up top with Coutinho in the 10.
What I really don't want is Bentekkers up top on his own against Arsenal, he will need more support than what he's been given in the first two games, either a front 3 or a man alongside him is needed so that the Arsenal defence has more to worry about than just him.
Thought he was poor for the first 30 mins but that was because we isolated him. But we then got him more involved and I thought he was pretty good to be fair. Showing a willingness to change this game which is encouraging.
lol, he didn't change his game at all. You've just not understood the player that he is. Even I was telling you that he was a far better footballer than you were giving him credit for, when you were saying he was basically a lamppost centre forward. You were wrong, get over it
In fairness to Jimmy (and you...) I never realised he had pace and is mobile too. That's handy, because he hasn't got Crouch's touch in the lamppost role, and we'd all hoped we'd left that behind anyway.
What the f*ck are you on about? I thought my post was admission that I was wrong (based on only TWO games!). And yes I was right to say he was lampost forward - why? Because that's what he's done all his career! To say he is a mobile hard working striker based on glimpses is wrong. And for all talk of his movement and runs he made - we still play a lot of long balls to him so again, to say he's more than just a lampost is premature. But as I said, he's shown encouraging signs. However, Sturridge and Coutinho are a much better partnership.
Should be a grovelling apology in writing to Benteke himself after labelling him lazier (impossible) than Balotelli
Sturridge and coutinho just when's that occurred to give real evidence. I just think most of our issues are coming from formation and midfield. We will get over run shortly... Rodgers never fixes anything until he gets rode sideways by someone.
Totally agree. Also agree with your comment on Lucas Lfc needs to work a lot harder and put pressure on coqueilin who I think is strutting about thinking he's got it made and is a sending off waiting to happen. We won't though. Bellarin given free reign by lallana to attack an 18 year old full back is not a pleasent thought... sanchez back in. .. carzorla have no pressure on him.... This is not a good scenario. Match day thread for next week should be up tomorrow.
We need to bring in another midfielder if we want to play 3 in the middle. Allen is injury prone (not sure why we gave him another contract) and Lucas is finished. Can, Hendo and Milner is good but can't expect them to play majority of the games (even though the latter 2 have great engines).
He put himself about against Bournemouth but we didn't see much of it during pre-season or against Stoke. So the apology will be on hold for now ...
It wasn't an admission at all, you said that he'd somehow changed his game, which is a crock of ****, he played no differently to how he did at Villa. You got him wrong, as he's never been a lampost CF all his career, you're talking absolute bobbins.
You clearly didn't watch him at all then - his game has been mainly about crosses and long balls. He has SHOWN a few glimpses of making runs etc but his style is predominantly being a target man with holding the ball at chest level. To suggest anything other is preposterous. #WordOfTheDay
I patently have seen far more of him that you have, as the lad has never been merely a limited target man. What you saw from him last night, was what he's been doing in this league for over 3 years ffs (albeit he gave everything last night) Sometimes you come across as if you reach your conclusions on football via a spreadsheet.
