Christian Benteke is Liverpool’s “predator” according to Adam Lallana, who is buoyant ahead of next week’s important game against Arsenal, as reported by Ian Doyle of the Echo.
Lallana, subject to a big money move himself last year, heaped praise on the Belgium attacker, saying that he feels the player could have had even more goals than the one he scored during the first half.
“It was a real poacher’s finish,” said Lallana.
“It was a great ball in from Hendo and Benteke is a predator in the box.
“That finish was brilliantly technically – getting good contact on the ball like that.
“He almost got another one at the end when he hit the crossbar. That’s what he’s all about.”
The goal by Benteke gave Liverpool maximum points and added momentum going into their already vital league match with Arsenal next Monday, and the England midfielder says that a 100% record can be a great building block for the game next week.
“Six points out of six and two clean sheets – that’s massive for us confidence wise,” he added.
“We’ll go to Arsenal with a gameplan to keep this run going. We’ve got a full week to prepare for Arsenal now.
“Hopefully we can go there and put on a good show.”
The past two performances by Liverpool have drawn some criticism from sections of the support, suggesting that the team aren’t placing enough emphasis on how they win, not whether they win; something the former Bournemouth man agrees with.
He said: “There is definitely room for improvement in our performances but that will come. It’s great we got three points against Bournemouth without playing our best football.”
Liverpool were woeful against top four opposition last year and the team know that they will have to change if they are to avoid a similar fate this season to last, and Lallana knows they will need to be at their best, both players and manager alike.
“They are always difficult games against the top four,” said Lallana.
“They are good teams. Arsenal will be tough but we have a week to prepare for it.
“The manager will set us up to get a result there. We’ve had two clean sheets in two games and we’ll be looking for a third on Monday night. We’re going there to try to get the win.”
Speaking about Liverpool’s previous games against Stoke and Bournemouth, Lallana believes Liverpool have offered a less traditional set of performances, but ones that can only show an improvement in the sides ability to grind out results and battle through tough conditions.
“They made us fight for the three points,” he said. “We’ve played them a couple of times in cup competitions in the past few seasons so we knew it was going to be tough, in many ways even tougher than Stoke.
“People were bigging up that game but this was a potential banana skin. Eddie Howe has them playing some great stuff and they are quite attacking.
“We dug in and got the three points with another clean sheet. We’re going to have to scrap for results this year.
“People asked questions about our mentality and our fighting spirit last week at Stoke. We showed that there and we took it into the Bournemouth game.
“Sometimes you have to win a game 1-0. It was massively important for us.
“We know there’s room for improvement and we’re working hard in training to achieve that. But I also think it’s important to see this side of us.
“There’s no doubt we have a lot of ability in the squad and I think you’ll see our performances improve over the coming weeks.”
Liverpool take on Arsenal next Monday before a home game against West Ham United on August 29.
