Liverpool can’t wait for Christian Benteke to return to peak fitness and form.
Benteke emphatically headed Liverpool ahead of Southampton with less than a quarter-hour left to play on Sunday at Anfield, bringing a previously tepid Premier League game to life. However, the Saints’ spirit wouldn’t allow them to march out of Liverpool without a result, and Sadio Mane notched the game-tying goal nine minutes after Benteke struck to give his team a share of the points.
Liverpool now has drawn the first three games of Jurgen Klopp’s tenure as manager and remains in search of that first victory, which will confirm a new dawn has, in fact, arrived at Anfield. When and how much Benteke plays will have some bearing on the exact time the sun rises on that new day.
Liverpool spent £32.5 million ($50.6 million) on Benteke last summer, and the draw against Southampton demonstrated why they invested so much in order to pry him from Aston Villa. Klopp introduced the Belgian as a halftime substitute for the ineffective Divock Origi, and Benteke wasted little time imposing himself.
Benteke might have scored within three minutes of the restart had Steven Davis not cleared his shot off the goal line. Benteke then faded from prominence somewhat amid Liverpool’s attacking struggles, but his 77th-minute headed goal reminded us the Reds’ build-up play doesn’t need to center around him as long as it ends at his feet or head.
The goal was Benteke’s second of the season and first since his amazing consolation strike against Manchester United on Sept. 12. Benteke still is working his way back from the hamstring injury he suffered on Sept. 20, but his and Origi’s contrasting outings show what Liverpool can do with ready-made quality rather than one in development.
The first half between Liverpool and Southampton was forgettable. The teams played with high energy and good organization but neither possessed enough invention in their attack to trouble the opponents.
Liverpool needed 30 minutes to create its first genuine scoring chances. The opportunities came when midfielders Adam Lallana, Philippe Coutinho and James Milner combined around the edge of the Southampton penalty area, but Milner dragged his shot wide and Victor Wanyama blocked Lallana’s goal-bound effort two minutes later.
Southampton initially fared worse than Liverpool but emerged from its slow start after those early scares. Virgil van Dijk’s headers in the 39th and 40th minutes represented either team’s best chance of the first half. Simon Mignolet’s and Lucas Leiva’s reflexes prevented them from doing serious damage.
Liverpool largely has defended well this season, but opponents have made the most of their limited opportunities. The trend, which started under Brendan Rodgers, continues under Klopp, much to the new boss’ chagrin. Liverpool escaped a pair of Southampton chances in the 57th and 60th minute thanks to a last-ditch header by Martin Skrtel and Alberto Moreno’s sliding tackle on Mane.
Those moments might have been part of a winning story, but Liverpool conceded on a set piece in the 86th minute. Gaston Ramirez headed a delivery from deep on to van Dijk, whose follow-up header lofted too far for the desperate Mignolet to reach but arrived at the right time and place for Mane to reach at the back post.
The referee dismissed Mane after he earned a pair of yellow cards in added time.
The Reds could have used more time to capitalize on the man advantage. They also could have used more Benteke.
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Photo via LiverpoolFC.com
