Why Sturridge is vital to Liverpool's approach under Klopp - and Benteke isn't

Jurgen Klopp didn't initially understand the fuss surrounding Daniel Sturridge. The injury-prone striker hadn't managed a start under Liverpool's new gaffer since his appointment in early October, and it's hard to blame the German for suspecting the former Manchester City and Chelsea man was just another in a long line of over-hyped English forwards.

But then Sturridge bagged a brace in Wednesday's 6-1 League Cup win at Southampton and his bow in a Klopp first XI. Each goal showed his ability to beat the offside trap, his composure as he placed rather than hammered his shots. The first strike in particular displayed his aptitude for bamboozling defenders with his footwork. It was quite the introduction.

"I said to Sturridge after the game, 'Now I know what everybody is talking about, so thank you,'" Klopp told BBC Sport after the match.

Concerns still remained regarding Sturridge's fitness following hip, knee, and foot problems - he was withdrawn from the midweek demolition of the Saints after 59 minutes - so it was no great surprise that Christian Benteke was called in for Sunday's trip to Tyneside.

With an unfancied Newcastle taking the spoils in a 2-0 win, it became clear that this selection is one Klopp should use sparingly from now on.

The £32-million Benteke has continued from where he left off with Aston Villa. Occasionally, he shows his technical brilliance with a beautiful piece of skill, such as his explosive overhead kick at Manchester United in September. However, he has an unfortunate propensity to drift out of games - to look a bit static, or go on a wander.

This just won't do in Klopp's system.

Liverpool started fast, winning two corners before a minute had passed, but having more zip in the frontline from start to end, rather than the sometimes languid Benteke, would have been more beneficial. That's particularly true against Newcastle's backline. It had leaked eight goals in the previous two outings and was incredibly vulnerable after its most experienced duo, Fabricio Coloccini and Daryl Janmaat, displayed shameful concentration in recent weeks. They should have been pressured throughout.

When Benteke was substituted for Adam Lallana just after an hour, and Sturridge was introduced in place of Roberto Firmino, the Reds presented much more of a threat going forward. Divock Origi joined proceedings on 75 minutes and, although the young Belgian's far from a finished product, his work rate ensured Liverpool's front four was getting in the faces of those wearing black-and-white stripes.

It should have paid off. Alberto Moreno's delicious volleyed lob was wrongly adjudged offside, and would have levelled the tie with 10 minutes of normal remaining.

With responsibility and a little less adventure from the defence, an industrious front four can pay dividends. Borussia Monchengladbach deployed a similar system to Benteke-less Liverpool against Bayern Munich on Saturday, and became the first side to beat Pep Guardiola's team in the Bundesliga in nearly seven months.

Andre Schubert's outfit simply defended from the front:

Klopp is used to forwards who will do this for him. Even the leggy Robert Lewandowski was willing to do the dirty work at Borussia Dortmund, but it is doubtful that Benteke has this in his locker. The summer acquisition is at risk of becoming a plan B at Liverpool unless he quickly embraces the tough grind of gegenpressing.

And this is why Klopp won't just come to appreciate Sturridge's talents, but embrace them. When fully fit, the England international is capable of running at defenders for 90 minutes and also cropping up in other areas of the pitch, rather than just the centre. As Monchengladbach's regurgitation of Klopp's approach shows, adopting this style requires covering an awful lot of ground.

Benteke needs to wake up. Otherwise, Liverpool and Sturridge will make great strides without him.