Liverpool predicted XI vs Manchester United
By Tom Bogert
ST Christian Benteke
Benteke gets the nod from Rush The Kop (as usual) to really begin to put things right in his Anfield career. Liverpool were fluid going forward without Benteke, then the attacks seemed to stall while Arsenal took the lead and Benteke was put into the game for a direct aerial threat. Arsenal were bringing attackers on in favor of more defenders and sat deeper and deeper.
Liverpool could be dangerous with some long balls into Benteke– but they rarely/never played them. Not until Caulker came on up top did the Reds loft a few hopeful passes in the air. Which is a shame that there’s such a negative perception to playing direct every once in a while.
Playing beautiful is all well and great, but if the ball is on the floor and to feet every single pass, it’s predictable and easily defended. If a team is looking to break at pace and play on the ground all day, it’s predictable and easy to defend. Benteke gives Liverpool the option to mix things up, they just have to actually mix things up.