Benteke the Wrong Fit for Liverpool but Far From a Flop
It’s a game that in reality meant very little, but Christian Benteke’s late leveller against Chelsea meant that the atmosphere for Liverpool’s lap of appreciation was far better spirited. Indeed, a defeat against the Blues, with whom the Merseysiders have forged a strong rivalry, particularly since the turn of the century, would have been a disappointing way to sign off the season at Anfield.
Benteke’s goal may have been teed up, much like a perfect spike in volleyball, by Asmir Begovic’s blunder, but it was an important moment for a player who has endured a tough debut season with the Reds. It’s fair to say Benteke has his doubters among Liverpool fans following a mega money move from Aston Villa and it’s perhaps true that those doubters have grown in number since.
However, on the eve of Marc Wilmots announcing his Belgium squad for the Euros, another goal against Benteke’s name will have been noted. While the 25-year old was never going to be omitted from the initial 24-man party, the chance to lead the line for the highest ranked team at the tournament may still be very much up for grabs.
Having cruelly missed out on a place at the World Cup in Brazil with an Achilles injury he has perhaps never fully recovered from, Benteke will hope to exploit the fact that Romelu Lukaku is out of form at present - without a goal in 9 in all competitions. Should the Liverpool striker get the nod over his cross-city compatriot it would be a high note to end what has been a difficult nine months for the player.
However, were it not for his lofty price tag, Benteke’s contribution in what is his debut season for Liverpool would appear far more impressive, if still underwhelming. A tally of 9 league goals is admittedly below expectations but given he has started just 13 of 18 Premier League appearances this season, it’s a respectable return. Indeed, had Liverpool fans been told Benteke would score at a rate of one goal every 159 minutes, they’d likely of predicted him to be a fan favourite by now. As it is, he’s far from it.
Said strike rate is a significant improvement on his last two seasons at Villa, though his performances when starting have left a lot to be desired. Of his 9 league goals this season, 6 have come as a substitute - two more than any other Premier League player. He’s proven to be a good weapon to have from the bench, but you don’t, or at least shouldn’t, pay £32.5m for a substitute.
The player himself would point to a lack of opportunities, as well as a raft of injury problems, preventing him from getting any rhythm. It’s certainly a fair argument and while Benteke had a sluggish start to life at Liverpool, starting the first 5 matches but failing to make his mark despite netting a winner against Bournemouth and goal of the season contender against Manchester United.
He’s not the first player to struggle to adapt to a new club in the first couple of months though, and he certainly won’t be the last. However, since said run at the start of the campaign, Benteke has not started more than two matches in a row in all competitions for Liverpool. For a striker, finding some consistency is key to building confidence, and the Belgian has looked void of it since the first few weeks of the season.
As a player who tended to score in fits and starts at Aston Villa, not getting a run in the side was always likely to hamper his progress. However, Benteke has still managed have an impact at his new club. In fact, his equaliser this week means that Benteke’s goals have earned Liverpool more points (10) than any other teammate in the Premier League.
Nevertheless, the clear cut chances Benteke has squandered this season - 9 to be precise, with only 10 players missing more - still linger in Liverpool fans’ minds arguably more so than the striker’s goals for the club, many of which have been far from pretty. His misses, however, have stemmed from a lack of belief, perhaps as a result of a lack of support.
At his best Benteke has proven to be so much more than just a target man, but he’s been unable to show as much in Liverpool’s system, and therein lies the problem for both player and club. The Belgian averaged between 33 and 34 passes per game in each of his seasons at Villa, with that figure dropping to just 17.7 at Liverpool. That despite the fact that his link up play has been very effective at times, registering 3 assists and a key pass every 47.7 minutes on average.
The case remains, however, that Benteke isn’t well suited to the direction that Klopp is keen to take this Liverpool side in, other than as an impact substitute. If there was one manager who could perhaps convince a player that a bit part role, particularly with Champions League football still a realistic possibility, it’s the Liverpool boss, but a player of Benteke’s quality deserves to be starting for a team that can bring out the best in him.
On this season’s evidence that isn’t Liverpool. While the Belgian can feel a little hard done by in terms of the criticism he has received with such sparing opportunities to gain a head of steam, it seems abundantly clear that player and club don’t fit in this instance.
While the consensus seems to be that there are no good strikers in the market, judging Benteke on one disappointing season would be hasty. If the 25-year old is allowed to leave Liverpool this summer, he would no doubt make an extremely astute signing for the right team. After all, if Benteke were to score in the Reds' final game of the season at West Brom he would be one of only four players to register double figures in the Premier League in each of the last four years. A productive Euros could put Benteke in the shop window having been kept out back by Liverpool.
Where will Benteke be playing his football next season? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below
