Liverpool FC manager Brendan Rodgers thinks that new signing Christian Benteke would prove the doubters wrong and fit seamlessly into the Reds playing style.
The Belgian striker, joined from Aston Villa for A?32.5 million earlier this week, but majority of the Reds fans were left wondering, how, the striker would fit into Brendan Rodgers system. The 24-year-old was the 7th summer signing of Liverpool FC, having spent nearly A?80 million in overhauling a squad which finished 6th last season.
He gets all types of goals – Rodgers on Benteke
The Anfield club lacked the firepower up top, to fight for a top 4 finish, and thus decided to splash the cash on the former Genk striker. While, on one hand Rodgers teams are known for their short passing coupled with quick movement, the Belgian is known for his aerial abilities and hold-up play, and Rodgers feel this exact quality of his would help complement his team. Speaking at the press-conference following Liverpool FC’s lackluster performance against Malaysia XI in the 1-1 draw, the manager said:
“Obviously I’ve heard and I’ve seen stuff about the style, saying that he won’t fit the style of how we play. .
“I think he’ll only complement it and help us. He’s a big guy but he’s got the attributes that I like in terms of pace and movement and he gets goals, he gets all types of goals.
“He’s great in the air, strong, he can hold the game up, he can play on the counter-attack, he can play whenever the team is deep because he can hold the ball up with his physical strength.
“As I said, he’s a boy that still is improving in his game. So I don’t think there’s any doubt he’ll fit our tactical idea of the game and he can be a huge player for us.”
Is Benteke the new Andy Carroll?
When the news that a fee has been agreed between the two clubs, Liverpool FC and Aston Villa for the transfer of Benteke, broke on Twitter, many fans questioned if the new big striker was going to flop like his predecessor, the A?35 million man Andy Carroll. However, in defense of Mr. Rodgers, the striker is indeed quick for a man of his built and is impressive in counter-attacks. While, he may not possess the guile and poise of Luis Suarez, he does have the fight to win ball’s in the box and hold up the ball for his team-mates.
Liverpool FC missed a presence up front last season, with Balotelli misfiring on all cylinders and Sturridge injured at all times, Benteke would certainly help eliminate that issue. The Reds might need to tweak their playing style slightly to get the best of their star signing, and if indeed he does find the form he showed earlier under Lambert and later under Sherwood, the Anfield faithful will definitely overcome the ghosts of Andy Carroll.