Former Reds striker Christian Benteke could be a thorn in Jurgen Klopp’s side this weekend.
The big Belgian joined Crystal Palace for around £32 million and is in fantastic form.
Under Roy Hodgson, he has rediscovered the form that led him to his Anfield move in the first place.
His profile is also exactly the type Liverpool’s young centre-back pairing of Nat Phillips and Rhys Williams could struggle with. Strong and mobile, his experience will be the key to a Palace victory.
He’ll also be keen to help his club avenge the 7-0 battering handed out to them by Jurgen Klopp’s men. He’ll have watched the recent performances of Nat Phillips and Rhys Williams with interest. Both have a tendency to rush into duels and leave space behind them. This is the sort of mistake he’ll be ready to pounce on.
LONDON, ENGLAND – MAY 19: Christian Benteke of Crystal Palace celebrates to the TV camera after scoring his team’s first goal during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Arsenal at Selhurst Park on May 19, 2021, in London, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
With his height and strength, Liverpool will have to be careful about giving away unnecessary set-pieces. His most recent goal against Arsenal was the archetypal Benteke goal.
A whipped delivery from Andros Townsend between keeper and defenders, before Benteke dived for the header, too fast for Leno to track. This is the kind of situation Liverpool can’t afford to let happen.
This means, as well as staying tight to the Belgian, Liverpool have to keep an eye on the likes of Townsend and Wilfried Zaha. Both men are tricky dribblers who know how to draw fouls, especially when running at speed.
Trent Alexander-Arnold has struggled to contain Zaha before, and you can be sure Roy Hodgson will target him.
SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND – MAY 08: Christian Benteke of Crystal Palace celebrates with Luka Milivojevic and teammates after scoring their side’s first goal during the Premier League match between Sheffield United and Crystal Palace at Bramall Lane on May 08, 2021, in Sheffield, England. (Photo by Rui Vieira – Pool/Getty Images)
However, despite challenging times, and having faced Benteke before, Klopp has a good record against the Eagles.
The last seven matches between the two have yielded seven victories for Klopp. Their last meeting at Anfield was a 4-0 win for the Reds.
Of course, Benteke and his teammates will be looking to give departing manager Roy Hodgson a good send-off.
However, with 10,000 fans set to descend on Anfield again, Jurgen Klopp will be confident of seeing off the threat posed by Benteke and his team.
