Jamie Carragher: Liverpool may go with Danny Ings over Christian Benteke to partner Daniel Sturridge

Liverpool icon Jamie Carragher says Christian Benteke could struggle to regain his place in Brendan Rodgers' starting XI when he comes back from injury due to the impressive form of Danny Ings. The Merseyside vet has lavished praise on the partnership formed by Ings and Daniel Sturridge during the 3-2 victory over Aston Villa on 26 September, with Sturridge netting a brace.

Benteke moved to Anfield during the summer transfer window for £32.5m ($49.2m) as Rodgers attempted to address the lack of goals in his attack since the departure of Luis Suarez. The Belgium international started off with two goals in the first five games of the campaign, but saw his progress halted by a hamstring injury in the 1-1 draw with Norwich City.

Carragher predicts Rodgers will face a big headache when it comes to forming his attack on Benteke's return, after Ings scored against the Canaries and impressed in the Capital One Cup clash with Carlisle.

"Sturridge's finishing deserves the accolades but a lot of it comes from Ings," Carragher said to Sky Sports. "He has made a massive difference. He is pressing people, running behind, making the game quicker, and that's where the chances are coming from."

"The way Ings is playing, you think when Benteke comes back, it will be difficult for Brendan Rodgers to get him in the team."

Carragher also has no doubts that if Sturridge is fit he should always be one of the two attackers in Rodgers' line-up, as he believes that the England international is second only to Sergio Aguero when it comes to Premier League number 9s.

"He has the coolness in front of goal and if Liverpool can get him fully fit and firing, it's only really Aguero who is a better striker than him in the league," he said.

"In the first half against Villa, he looked like a player coming back to fitness but he came alive in the second half. He is the icing on the cake and can provide that class finish.

"The rest of his game doesn't involve too much but he makes a massive difference at that end of the pitch for Liverpool. There were great signs in the partnership with Ings."