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Want to know why Liverpool signed Christian Benteke?

The evidence was there in his performance against Bordeaux.

He made the difference. In fact, if the game had been played a few weeks earlier when Benteke wasn't available, then we simply wouldn't have won.

The Belgian was the key with his physicality and ability to frighten defenders.

With the penalty, you can understand why the referee has given it although if it had been given against us, we'd not have been impressed.

But that was down to Benteke being a menace in the danger zone. And his goal was precisely why Liverpool signed him, good control and a great finish.

If you compare the game to Saturday's win at Manchester City, there's no doubt it wasn't anything like the same.

Indeed, it was very much similar to so many games we've already seen at Anfield this season.

It was pretty much huff and puff, with too many players indecisive.

I know we were missing some key players but it's an indication that there is still work to be done. Our squad is capable of beautiful football as shown at City, but it's also capable of what we delivered against Bordeaux.

That said, we won. We're into the knockout stages of the Europa League and if you win 70-80% of these scrappy games then you are never going to be far away.

There will be plenty more matches like that this season, believe me.

But if it was a good night for Benteke, it wasn't so great for fellow striker Daniel Sturridge.

Speaking as a former player, it'll be an absolute nightmare for him to be on the sidelines again.

He'll have worked so hard to get back after being out injured, and the blow will be felt just as much mentally as physically.

Sturridge obviously has a problem. And while it's cruel to say he's not built for the game, there's more and more evidence pointing to the fact it's going to be difficult for him to ever play regular football at the top level.

Happy travels... but it's time for some home truths

Don't be surprised to see another afternoon of Premier League struggle at Anfield on Sunday.

Away from home, we're proving really difficult to beat.

I was always sure we'd give City a tough game, but not for a minute did I think we would win 4-1.

And while I'd expect us to beat Swansea this weekend – my former team are not in good form – I suspect it will be another hard-fought affair.

Matters just haven't clicked at Anfield this season.

It's a completely different proposition breaking down a packed defence rather than looking to play on the counter-attack, as we have done in our away games.

Our struggles at Anfield are a combination of the type of players we have at the moment, and the uncertainty that still exists among the fans at home which the team then finds impossible to ignore.

One player who will be missing is the suspended Lucas Leiva.

I said at the start of the season that I was amazed Liverpool were even considering selling the Brazilian as he is the defensive midfielder we have at the club.

He's the one who understands the position best, and that's crucial.

When you go into the transfer market, you don't always know the personality of a player and can get things wrong.

But if you are referring to players already in your squad, if you don't know them, than that's not a good sign.

Brendan Rodgers should have known what Lucas could give to the team. He did so belatedly, but that was more through design rather than choice given the injury to Jordan Henderson.

After Swansea comes the Capital One Cup game at Southampton. We should go flat out in that game, no resting of players. Win that, and we're a two-legged semi-final away from Wembley.

It was 30 years ago yesterday...

It's remarkable to think it was 30 years ago yesterday that I scored THAT goal against Manchester United.

It makes you realise how quickly life goes.

The goal is something that's very clear in my mind.

During a player's career, there's a moment they'll pinpoint as when they announced themselves at their new club, a sign they'd settled in.

That was my moment at Liverpool.

Of course, the goal assumed almost mythical status over the years. The fact the television cameras weren't there was a help, and that's really what started it.

Was it one of my best goals? Perhaps over the years people have made it better than it actually was, but I have to say I enjoyed it.

It wasn't really a typical Jan Molby goal, you might say. It was more like a Steven Gerrard goal.

And I'm happy with that!