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Jamie Carragher believes Christian Benteke has given Jurgen Klopp “a problem” despite his winning goal for Liverpool against Sunderland.

The Belgian struck for the second game running to give the Reds another 1-0 triumph at the Stadium of Light. Benteke's seventh goal of the campaign was enough to see off Sam Allardyce's side, and lift Klopp's men to seventh in the Premier League table.

Carragher, speaking on Sky Sports, admitted that the 25-year-old remains Liverpool's most reliable goalscorer, but believes it is clear Klopp is having difficulties with the former Aston Villa man's style of play.

He said: “It's not just his problem, it's Liverpool's problem in how they use him and get the best from him.

“You've got three No.10s in the team and a powerful centre forward, you've got to get the ball into his feet.

“But we were watching Jurgen Klopp in the first half, and he was so frustrated with Benteke's runs, his movement, the positions he was taking up. A lot of the time he was in the wrong position.

“When Klopp come in, (Divock) Origi started the first game away at Spurs and we highlighted the work he put in. That's what Klopp wants from his players.





'Nobody else in the squad scores goals!'

“You look at Benteke at Villa; great goalscoring record, but he's not that type of player. He gives Klopp a problem, in that he's the one goalscorer they've got – forget (Daniel) Sturridge, because at times you can't bank on him.

“He said when he got the winning goal against Leicester that when a player like Benteke scores a goal, that's one action in 90 minutes. What does he do for the other 89? He wants more from him, more movement.

“But the problem he's got, nobody else in the squad scores goals!”

Carragher's fellow pundit, former Reds midfielder Jamie Redknapp, claimed Benteke was “different class” during the second half against Sunderland. He too, though, expressed concerns as to how the frontman fits in at Anfield.

Redknapp said: “He's scored six (Premier League) goals this season, and three of them have been winning goals.

“But he's got a problem with the manager, because the last two games before this he hasn't started.

“It's obvious Klopp fancies Origi more, but I think personally Benteke is a better player. He's got more of an all-round game.

“But if Daniel Sturridge is fit, how do you get them all in the team?”

'Don't compare Klopp to Rodgers'

Carragher, meanwhile, believes Klopp is doing a good job having inherited predecessor Brendan Rodgers' team at Anfield. The Kop legend, though, believes finishing in the top four will be a big ask.

“People keep linking him to Brendan Rodgers,” he said. “This is nonsense. It's not his team, it's Brendan Rodgers' team that was built for three years.

“So whether he (Klopp) has got a better record or not, it doesn't matter. If he's matching Brendan Rodgers or doing better, then he's doing a fantastic job.

“It's the big results he's got, the goals, which give you hope for the future. But the squad he's got is not good enough for a title challenge, and to be honest I don't think Liverpool will make the top four.

“Klopp will still be assessing his squad between now and the end of the season, because that's where they need to be.”

Is Carra on the money? Let us know in the comments section below, or @LivEchoLFC