Christian Benteke

[Hemingway]

Problem is with other players at the mo imo, the lack of goals from elsewhere is strangling us.

This. This this this this. A million times this.

Benteke is so far down the list of problems with our attacking play. Obviously we could do better with a striker who is a better fit, but he's scoring >.5 non-pen goals per 90 (so a little better than 1-in-2) and up to .6 non-pen goals + assists per 90. Those are both second-best in the side behind Sturridge, and both are respectable rates for a striker on a side challenging for top four. The problem is that Coutinho doesn't really score (or even assist) enough, Lallana is pretty much a non-factor there, Firmino hasn't done much yet, there's not much end product from midfield, and then every other attacker is hurt. So when Sturridge is out, the goals come from Benteke or nowhere.

You could say that this is because all of those players just don't have end product (and certainly I think they lack in that area), or that that's somehow Benteke's fault too even though they weren't really goal threats when we played Origi or Firmino or Ings up top either (a more nuanced debate could be had there), but I still think that the biggest problem with our attacking play is a structural weakness that's been around a long time but covered up because Sturridge/Suarez (and occasionally Sterling and Coutinho) would just conjure something up anyway. As we improve that our attacking patterns under Klopp, which will take time, I expect everyone to score more. Including Benteke. But that he's been 1-in-2 even though he's not really integrated properly (which he may or may not do in the future) and is playing in a side that clearly is dysfunctional in attack at a fundamental level is encouraging to me. He's probably not the long-term fix, but I'm still perplexed at how eager a lot of people are to see him sold.

[SB]

I would change any player with someone better.

So you'd replace Moreno with Evra?

Or Hendo with Roy Keane?

[Fierce]

What bizarre comparatives

[captainfog]

Having another stinker. Poor touch, no anticipation, brainless, slow, lazy. He's been displaying his full gambet of attributes.

[Roboklopp]

Having another stinker. Poor touch, no anticipation, brainless, slow, lazy. He's been displaying his full gambet of attributes.

"Gambet?"

[redmike65]

Gambit. Gammy. Ugh, it's never going to work.

[Jaymo]

The service he receives is incredibly poor. The wide players take far too long to get a ball into the box.

If the wide player is looking to stand his man up, and check back then it's fairly impossible to know when the cross is going to come in. Added to that, the fact that it gives the centre halves a chance to set themselves.

When we do get a ball in there, it's more hit and hope than aimed at an area which he has a chance of winning it.

[Roboklopp]

That's a factor too aye but even when we do he wastes the opportunity invariably.

[Mattshark]

The service he receives is incredibly poor. The wide players take far too long to get a ball into the box.

If the wide player is looking to stand his man up, and check back then it's fairly impossible to know when the cross is going to come in. Added to that, the fact that it gives the centre halves a chance to set themselves.

When we do get a ball in there, it's more hit and hope than aimed at an area which he has a chance of winning it.

No he is just ****. He is a hodgson level signing

[Irishnev]

No he is just ****. He is a hodgson level signing

I was against his signing but thought we'd be at least signing a powerhouse who'd would at worst bully opposing centre backs. How wrong I was, he is so timid and he was absolutely bossed by Collins today who is at best an old school hacker.

I'll admit I never watched Benteke outside of games vs us so that will tell you how poor our CBs must have been to make him look good!

[PTP]

Probably as bad a performance from a striker I've seen.....we'd have been better off with Rickie lambert on the pitch

[BigChief]

I need a brainwash refresher from the Benteke fanboys. I think I'm falling off the wagon.

[Assassin]

I was against his signing but thought we'd be at least signing a powerhouse who'd would at worst bully opposing centre backs. How wrong I was, he is so timid and he was absolutely bossed by Collins today who is at best an old school hacker.

I'll admit I never watched Benteke outside of games vs us so that will tell you how poor our CBs must have been to make him look good!

Bossed by a pub team player

[Fierce]

Having another stinker. Poor touch, no anticipation, brainless, slow, lazy. He's been displaying his full gambet of attributes.

[fidget]

The Skrtel of striking