Benteke's struggles, consistent inconsistency and more things we learned from Newcastle defeat

Liverpool are consistently inconsistent and have been for some time

 

Wins at Chelsea, Manchester City and Southampton have now been followed by defeats to Crystal Palace and Newcastle either side of an unconvincing win over Swansea at Anfield. It makes for frustrating reading for Liverpool fans who have seen the best and worst of their side in recent weeks. Sunday was possibly the worst, with none of Jurgen Klopp’s starting XI covering themselves in glory. Talk of a title challenge is almost certainly premature if results like this become regularity. It’s two septs forward and one step back, unfortunately.99

 

Christian Benteke is struggling to find a role in the system

Liverpool weren’t left with much choice with Christian Benteke’s £32.5m release clause at Aston Villa in the summer but it is starting to look like a costly blunder. The Belgian has scored five goals this season but the Reds look disjointed when he starts compared with the fluidity in recent away performances. He cut a frustrated and isolated figure throughout at St James’ Park, with none of the supporting cast able to make the most of his physical presence. Liverpool have scored five goals in five games when he starts in contrast with 17 in seven without him.

Klopp can make mistakes - his team selection was peculiar

Benteke’s inclusion was puzzling given the dominant displays at Manchester City and Chelsea in the last month. Roberto Firmino excelled in a ‘false nine’ role at both the Etihad and Stamford Bridge with Liverpool’s fluidity and movement in attack causing all kinds of problems. At St James’ Park, the Reds looked horribly static with Benteke leading the line. The inclusion of Joe Allen, despite a decent run out against Southampton in midweek, proved a mistake while Adam Lallana’s omission was even more troublesome. Klopp admitted in his post-match comments that rotation doesn’t always reap rewards, and it certainly didn’t on Sunday. Newcastle were there for the taking after a recent patch of bad form but the team selection was far too negative.

 

 

James Milner struggles with greater responsibility

James Milner’s decision to join Liverpool from Manchester City in the summer was based on promises of a more central role in the midfield. His performances this season, which Sunday’s defeat to the Magpies further underlined, suggests the England’s man is struggling to cope with the added responsibility. Milner excels when less is expected of him but in the absence of Philippe Coutinho, Emre Can and Adam Lallana, the onus was on the 29-year-old to deliver more creativity which he failed to do.

 

 

Trying to predict the Premier League this season is impossible

Trying to predict this season is becoming increasingly difficult by the week. Only two of the top six won again and only Leicester, of all teams, are showing any sign of consistency. Defeats for Manchester City and Liverpool while Manchester United drawing blanks at home again means the league is looking disjointed and sporadic. Everyone can beat everyone and it’s making for great entertainment.