The Independent's journalism is supported by our readers. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn commission.
Brendan Rodgers: I've never had a striker like Christian Benteke at Liverpool - he gives us a 'different dimension'
Belgian offers a mix of physicality and quality
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Brendan Rodgers has hailed Christian Benteke after his match-winning performance against Bournemouth on Monday night.
The Belgian, bought for £32.5million from Aston Villa in the summer, scored his first goal for Liverpool in front of the Kop - although it shouldn't have counted as Philippe Coutinho was in an offside position.
Benteke, 24, prodded home at the far post after a brilliant ball in from Jordan Henderson.
But it wasn't his goal that Rodgers was most impressed with, but his quality on and off the ball that has given the Reds a "different dimension".
"There was one moment when the ball came into the box – which is one of the reasons we looked to bring him in – and because of his strength and power, he tried to make contact with it. It dropped and we had a chance with Coutinho to then shoot," Rodgers told the club website.
"In my time here, that’s never really happened and the ball’s come in and maybe been cleared out, but because of his physicality and contact, he keeps the ball alive in a dangerous area of the field.
"That will really help and once the players get used to seeing and working with that, it’ll offer us more opportunities to score goals.
"It gives us a different dimension to our game, whilst looking to retain that philosophy to move the ball and get fluency. That will come and grow over the coming months."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments