Liverpool: Jurgen Klopp urges Christian Benteke to add more to his game

Jurgen Klopp has urged Christian Benteke to add more to his game despite his winner that saw Liverpool end Leicester City's unbeaten run. The striker has not been a regular feature in the team, with the former Borussia Dortmund manager not recognising him as a long-term solution.

Benteke has been accused of not tracking back and closing down the opposition, for which Klopp has been inclined to offer the likes of Divock Origi a chance up front, as Daniel Sturridge, his top choice to lead the attack, remains on the sidelines. The England international is back in training and despite his celebratory message motioning his return to the first team, Klopp has been extremely circumspect in giving him the go ahead.

The German has urged Sturridge to take it very slowly, and in the meantime, is looking for Benteke to take the next step in becoming the player that he promised to be after his big money move from Aston Villa last summer. Origi's absence with a hamstring problem means that Benteke is Klopp's only option up front and he wants the Belgian to be more active in the defensive half of the field when required.

"There is no doubt he brings goals," Klopp said, after the Leicester win, as quoted by the Guardian. "We need his goals but I don't only think about him and goals. We are not a team that can play with a striker who scores a goal but is not involved in the game for the other 89 minutes.

"We need the striker for the other options too, to work for the other minutes. I know Christian can do this, that's what I said. We had a really good talk in the week. He knows what he has to do. He came in and had a really good game, and decided the game. So well done!"

Liverpool travel to Sunderland for their last game before the turn of the year and Klopp will be hoping that they can start a winning run, which will take the pressure of themselves and help challenge for a top four spot.