Christian Benteke: “I would have rather taken the three points”

Discussing his goal of the season contender in Saturday’s 3-1 loss to Manchester United, Christian Benteke spoke of disappointment.

On any other occasion, Christian Benteke’s stunning acrobatic finish against Manchester United would have hogged the weekend’s headlines.

But with Liverpool losing 3-1 at Old Trafford, the Belgian’s overhead kick was a mere footnote.

Discussing the goal after the game, Benteke said “I would have rather taken the three points.”

“It was just instinct. I saw the ball come into the box and I just thought I had to try it,” he told LiverpoolFC.com.

“I had some luck and I am happy with it, but we didn’t get the three points.

“For my own confidence it was good, [it is] for a striker to score, but at the end of the day I would have rather taken the three points and so I’m disappointed.”

This strike boosted Benteke’s record for the season to two goals in five games, making him Liverpool’s top scorer for 2015/16 so far.

But with the Reds currently languishing in mid-table of this season’s Premier League, the £32.5 million summer signing is right to focus on his side’s poor form.

One of the main contributing factors to this is Benteke’s isolation in attack.

That this goal came as a moment of individual brilliance, rather than the result of a well-worked team move, perfectly highlights the former Aston Villa striker’s plight on Merseyside.

Brendan Rodgers‘ decision to field a 4-5-1 formation at Old Trafford failed to maximise Benteke’s strengths in attack.

Danny Ings and Roberto Firmino, operating in wide-midfield roles, struggled to support the 24-year-old – who was Liverpool’s best performer – and the Reds created few chances before Benteke’s inspired finish.

Despite his strong performance, Benteke expects more from himself and his team-mates.

“When you play for a club like Liverpool, you have to show more,” he concluded.

Before Benteke is truly able to prove his worth in attack, he must be afforded more support from the likes of Ings, Firmino and Philippe Coutinho.

A shift in Rodgers’ tactical blueprint is essential.

• Read more: Tactical Analysis: How Liverpool can get more out of Christian Benteke

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Brendan Rodgers’ misuse of Roberto Firmino draws comparisons with Lazar Markovic

Brendan Rodgers‘ bizarre misuse of Roberto Firmino at Liverpool is bringing back frustrating memories of his treatment of Lazar Markovic last season.

The vitriol aimed towards Brendan Rodgers has reached unprecedented heights following Saturday’s dismal 3-1 loss to Manchester United.

For many of the Ulsterman’s most loyal supporters, this felt like the game when everything changed. Enough is enough.

There were countless errors made by the Reds manager throughout the Old Trafford nightmare, from the continued selection of Dejan Lovren and Martin Skrtel at the back, to playing Danny Ings as a left winger.

Perhaps the most frustrating mistake in some ways, however, was his decision to utilise £29 million man Roberto Firmino on the right-hand side of a defensive-minded 4-5-1 formation.

Predictably Ineffective

The Brazil international was brought in from 1899 Hoffenheim to much joy in July, having excelled as a left-sided forward, No. 10 and striker for both club and country in recent years.

Quite why Rodgers thinks, therefore, that it is a wise decision to play him in a different role makes even his staunchest supporter wonder if he has completely lost the plot.

While it was bemusing enough to see Firmino used in such a way against both Arsenal and West Ham United, it plunged to new depths against United, on a dark day for anyone associated with Liverpool.

The 23-year-old was almost tasked with playing as a wing-back at times, such was the negativity of Rodgers’ tactics, and he spent far more time in his own half than United’s.

To see a player of such talent used in such a rigid, unsuited role was tough to take, and once again raised further suspicions over Rodgers’ tactical nous.

Firmino didn’t have a bad game by any means, working hard and showing occasional glimpses of his class, but his influence in an attacking sense was bordering on non-existent.

That is not his fault.

Had he been deployed behind Ings and Christian Benteke in a 4-4-2 diamond – as many had hoped would be the case when the teams were announced – we would have seen him in a very different light.

It has already reached the ludicrous stage where some fans are starting to question the Brazilian, which is complete madness.

Not only is he still adjusting to life in the Premier League, most notably the pace and physicality of it, he is also yet to play in a position where he tore defences to ribbons in Germany.

You can’t help but compare his current situation to that of Lazar Markovic last year, which is worrying to say the least.

Criminal Misuse

The young Serb, who has been strangely loaned out to Fenerbahce for the season, was handled terribly by Rodgers in 2014/15.

He arrived with a reputation as one of the most exciting young attacking players in Europe, but we rarely ever got to see him in his best position.

Barring the odd cameo from the substitutes’ bench, when he was deployed out wide in a front three, it was at wing-back where Markovic was unfairly situated.

Predictably, the 21-year-old failed to ignite because of it, barring one man-of-the-match performance at Sunderland, and he suffered the same lazy “he’s overrated” criticism that Firmino is already experiencing.

Many supporters have been angered by Rodgers’ decision to deem Markovic surplus to requirements this season, and Liverpool’s attacking options look light because of it.

There is increasing concern that the Northern Irishman will be as negligent with Firmino as he has been with the Serbia international.

The fact that both are reportedly committee-influenced signings rather than Rodgers’ primary targets – much like Mamadou Sakho and Alberto Moreno – makes it of even more of a concern.

The manager is clearly showing more faith in the players he chose to bring to the club, Lovren being the prime example, which doesn’t bode well.

Rodgers’ Fate

The resounding 3-1 loss to United has left many feeling that Rodgers is now at the point of no return in the Anfield hot-seat, as his errors continue to snowball at an alarming rate.

It is always worrying when a manager is doing the complete opposite to what the vast majority of fans are calling for.

That certainly applies to his use of Firmino so far this season.

Rodgers has a player of enormous talent at his disposal who, if played in his best role, has the ability to become as effective as Philippe Coutinho in time.

Should he keep inexplicably playing the South American in a defensive, right-sided role however, it will prove to be yet another nail in the under-fire Ulsterman’s coffin.

• Read more: Lazar Markovic loan decision bemusing in light of West Ham defeat

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Jurgen Klopp “a great fit at Liverpool” – Dietmar Hamann

Following speculation over Brendan Rodgers‘ future as Liverpool manager, Jurgen Klopp has been backed as a potential successor.

Dietmar Hamann has suggested Jurgen Klopp would be the ideal man to take over from Brendan Rodgers if the Liverpool manager is sacked.

The former Reds midfielder told Sky Germany that Klopp would be “a great fit at Liverpool.”

Assessing Rodgers’ position at the helm on Merseyside, Hamann referenced the mounting pressure on the Northern Irishman following Saturday’s 3-1 loss away to Manchester United.

“The pressure in Liverpool gets bigger,” he said, according to ESPN.

“The fans are on the barricades. But the coach is backed by the club, and anyway the question is: Would Klopp move there during the season?

“Had they asked before the season, I am 99 percent sure that he would have joined them.

“Many people say that he will take over Bayern on July 1, 2016, but I don’t know whether he’s a fit there.

“He’d be a great fit at Liverpool.”

Hamann’s suggestion that Klopp would have been interested in joining Liverpool after leaving Borussia Dortmund in the summer is intriguing, with owners Fenway Sports Group instead deciding to stick with Rodgers, despite a dismal sixth-placed campaign in 2014/15.

Klopp didn’t fare much better with Dortmund, leading the club to seventh in the Bundesliga after just four wins in the first 19 games of the season.

But the German is still regarded as one of the finest managers in European football.

His impressive brand of high-pressing, counter-attacking football led to Bundesliga titles in 2010/11 and 2011/12.

Klopp also masterminded a charge for the Champions League in 2012/13, with Dortmund eventually losing out to rivals Bayern Munich in the final.

However, as Hamann intimates, the 48-year-old may be happy to wait until the summer before making the move back into management.

Klopp himself recently told reporters that he would prefer a challenge on his return, saying his preferred destination would be “not an absolute top club.”

The Liverpool Echo quoted for the former Mainz manager as saying: “There are other good projects that are exciting who need help.”

If Liverpool continue to flounder under Rodgers’ management this season, they certainly would need help.

• Read more: Brendan Rodgers’ position in question after inept defeat at Old Trafford

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Steven Gerrard: Liverpool tried to sign Toni Kroos in 2014

Steven Gerrard has revealed the role he played in Liverpool’s transfer activity, including a failed bid for Toni Kroos in 2014.

Liverpool failed in a bid to sign German playmaker Toni Kroos in 2014, before the midfielder joined Real Madrid.

That is according to Steven Gerrard, who has revealed the role he played in helping to secure Liverpool’s more ambitious transfer targets.

In another extract from his upcoming autobiography My Story, serialised in the Mail, he said “I had an unofficial role at the club, trying to persuade some great players to join Liverpool.”

Before the move for Kroos in 2014, Gerrard detailed how Liverpool pursued Brazilian winger Willian the previous summer.

“In 2013, the latest player in our sights was Willian, the Brazilian midfielder,” he said.

“I followed the usual routine when approaching a star player we wanted to sign.

“Instead of calling him directly I always sent a text. It seemed more respectful and allowed the player to read my message at a time when it suited him best. A cold call felt wrong.

“I slipped into the groove with Willian. I said hello and hoped he didn’t mind me contacting him directly.

“I stressed how much I admired him as a player and then, having mentioned that I knew Liverpool were speaking to his agent, I used the standard line: ‘If you need to chat or ask any questions I’m available at any time.’

Unfortunately, Willian’s reply was “‘I’m not sure Liverpool can give me the Champions League.'”

Willian eventually joined Chelsea from Anzhi Makhachkala, but this worryingly frank rejection didn’t deter the Reds from a more ambitious move for Kroos the following summer, with Gerrard describing Liverpool’s interest as “ridiculously optimistic.”

“We both admired Kroos immensely,” he said, noting Brendan Rodgers‘ influence on the move.

“I knew Real Madrid were gearing up to make Bayern Munich an offer and so I felt a bit awkward when I texted Kroos.

“The German was on his way to winning the World Cup with his country and Real were the champions of Europe.

“But God loves a trier, and so I gave it a whirl.”

Kroos respectfully declined Gerrard and Liverpool’s offer, and Rodgers failed to add another midfielder to his ranks following the signing of Kroos’ compatriot, Emre Can.

Signing Kroos would have been a spectacular coup for Liverpool, with the former Bayern Munich man one of the best central midfielders in world football.

But his rejection, along with that of Willian, is a damning indicator of the club’s sway in the transfer market.

Now without their talisman, the sights may need to be lowered even further.

• Read more: Steven Gerrard reveals Tottenham interest

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Jordon Ibe committed to England, says Nigeria head coach

Jordon Ibe has committed his international future to England, according to Nigeria head coach Sunday Oliseh.

The 19-year-old Liverpool winger received his first England Under-21 call-up earlier this month.

Roy Hodgson could promote him to the Three Lions senior squad possibly even as early as next month, when England play their dead-rubber Euro 2016 qualifiers against Estonia and Lithuania.

Ibe qualified to play for Nigeria through his father, who was born in the African country.

But Oliseh wrote on Twitter on Sunday: “Jordon Ibe’s family informed me by a telephone call, that he was giving priority to an England call up. We wish them well.”

Hodgson said of Ibe this month: “People play for the (England) Under-21s because they want to play for England.

“If we do call him up it won’t be because we are worried about other nations.”

• Read more: Jordon Ibe not yet ready for regular first-team role at Liverpool

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Divock Origi vows players will work together to solve Liverpool’s problems

Divock Origi says Liverpool players will work together to solve the problems evident in Saturday’s 3-1 defeat at Manchester United.

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It was Brendan Rodgers‘ side’s second consecutive defeat, with Christian Benteke‘s thunderous acrobatic volley the only highlight of a drab performance.

Origi played the last sixteen minutes as goals from Daley Blind, Ander Herrera and Anthony Martial sunk the visitors at Old Trafford.

“We came here to get a good result and it’s always disappointing to lose, especially against Manchester United,” Origi told the club’s official website after the game.

“We have to learn from games like this and prepare for the next game.

“As a team we have to solve the problems, defensively and offensively. But I think the quality is there, so we just have to stick together and speak with the coach.

“The most important thing is to score. In the second half we had some good chances; we pressed the game. But we were unlucky and it’s unfortunate for us.”

Liverpool face Bordeaux in their opening Europa League game of the season on Thursday night, before Norwich City come to Anfield in the Premier League on Sunday.

With the pressure turned up on Rodgers and his team, Origi says now is the time for cohesion in the squad.

“We’re all professionals so we’ll have to make the switch [in focus],” he added.

“”We’re all motivated to get a good result in Bordeaux. It will be on us to prepare well in training and be ready for the game.”

What next for Liverpool? Let us know your thoughts on the recent poor form and how you think the Reds can turn a corner in the comments section below.

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FSG not looking for direct investment in Liverpool FC

Liverpool FC chief executive Ian Ayre says owners Fenway Sports Group are not actively looking for direct investment in to the club but would consider it as part of the Main Stand naming rights – FSG, though, wouldn’t consider supporters holding a stake in the club.

At the most recent supporters club committee meeting, Ayre was asked whether FSG would consider “partnership with a properly constituted and regulated supporters’ trust to raise investment for the stadium expansion through a 15% supporters’ stake in the Club?”

The question arose after director Michael Gordon has said in July that, as part of a search for the naming rights partner for the new Main Stand, the club would consider “outright investment” as a possibility.

However, Ayre responded by saying that the owners are “not looking for direct investment in the Club, but are looking for sponsorship partners for the Main Stand.”

“If, for example, one of those partners brought a strategic opportunity in addition to a naming rights deal, then the Club would not rule out giving up some equity if this meant securing the right deal,” said Ayre.

“However, the Club is not actively looking for equity investment in isolation, as it would only be considered as part of a strategic partnership.”

Ayre was then challenged on whether FSG would though consider supporter investment. To which he said that whilst the supporters bring a passion and love for the Club, the Club would only consider an equity sale if it forms part of a strategic investment, for which it is not actively looking in any case.

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