Liverpool legend Mark Lawrenson feels recognised striker Christian Benteke should start against Sunderland at Anfield today.
Jurgen Klopp’s team, who have failed to score in their last three games in all competitions, currently have a dearth of options up front.
While Daniel Sturridge, Divock Origi and Danny Ings are out injured, there is suggestion that Benteke is not suited to Klopp’s style.
As a result, the German has started matches without strikers in recent games, with Roberto Firmino playing the role of a false number nine.
But Lawrenson, who thinks other Premier League teams already know how to tackle Liverpool without strikers at Anfield, is of the opinion that the Merseyside giants will be able to pose more problems to Sunderland’s defenders if they start with Benteke.
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“I think the solution is to play with a recognised striker”, he told LFC TV, when asked what should Liverpool to do start scoring.
“Admittedly when Benteke played the last home game, when he started it, he was poor.
“But you’ll just have to hope he’ll better than that, because teams have worked out how to play against us at home with our false number nine.
“And generally the away teams in the Premier League just sit back and sit in and play 4-5-1 [formation].
“And I don’t think that suits us at all, the two opposing centre-backs just sit in their armchairs all day; we don’t pose them enough problems.”
Liverpool, who are currently eighth in the Premier League with 34 points from 24 games, defeated Sunderland 1-0 in the corresponding fixture over the festive period, courtesy of Benteke’s strike.
