Sunderland vs. Liverpool: Key Takeaways from Jurgen Klopp's Pre-Match Presser

Manager Jurgen Klopp has called on his team to "be more dangerous" all over the pitch and for Christian Benteke to get more involved in games when he addressed the media on Monday ahead of Liverpool's trip to Sunderland on Wednesday.  

Per the Daily Mirror's Ben Burrows, he said the following of the team's struggles up front: "We are working on it. Scoring goals, you have to be more often in situations. You cannot wait for the one chance. You have to always be in position. That’s what we try to do. To be more dangerous from all positions is a big target for us."

On Benteke, the Liverpool boss added:

"

He knows what he has to do. That’s for sure. It was not too easy to come in [against Leicester City], but the second half was better.

He has such potential. It’s always, if he doesn’t play perfect, there’s a little bit.

He’s not the same striker as Daniel [Sturridge] or Divock [Origi]. We have to use his natural skills, and he has to try and be more involved in the game. Then we can make steps together. It’s not possible for a player to play his own style against the team.

Of course a striker has to make goals. That’s what we need him for. We are clear. Now we can work.

"

The Belgian scored the decisive goal in Liverpool's 1-0 win over Leicester City on Boxing Day, but he has struggled to hit the ground running at Anfield and adapt to his new surroundings.

Benteke's lack of confidence was epitomised in the game against the Foxes when he had the chance to wrap up the game in the last minute but dallied on the ball instead of burying it in an open goal.

The 25-year-old is the biggest and strongest of the Reds' striking options and is a proven, prolific goalscorer at the Premier League level, but he also lacks pace and isn't particularly gifted technically, unlike many of his forward-thinking team-mates.

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Benteke has much adapting still to do in order to fit in with his new team, but under Klopp, he has the potential to develop into an effective player in their system.

Further, his goals-to-minutes ratio isn't that bad, with five goals scored in 961 minutes, per WhoScored.com—roughly one goal in every two full games he plays—so he has a platform to build on.

On Wednesday's opponents, Klopp said: "I think second balls will be a big thing to think about for Sunderland. They will go back to their roots. We know what is waiting for us."

The Reds have struggled in the face of physical opposition this season, such as their recent 2-2 draw with West Bromwich Albion, and it seems Klopp is anticipating a similar showing from Sunderland as they seek to frustrate the visitors.

The German insisted his side are ready, though, per Liverpool's official Twitter feed:

Sunderland showed signs of development under manager Sam Allardyce with back-to-back wins in November, but four straight defeats—admittedly to Arsenal, Watford, Chelsea and Manchester City—have seen them firmly revert to their calamitous, vulnerable ways.

Allardyce will be calling for a response from his players, so it may be a difficult game for a Liverpool side hardly in vintage form.

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Klopp also hailed Reds captain Jordan Henderson following his successful return from injury, saying:

"

He was strong against Leicester. That’s how he is, he gets his rhythm and it’s really important he stays in this.

He was good in Watford too. Now, next step for him against Leicester he was really dominant. It was the first time we played with Hendo and Emre [Can] together. He was showing everything on the pitch, showing the way.

I hope he stays fit and he will help us. He’s a high quality player.

"

After initially struggling to fit in at Anfield, Henderson has developed into a key player for the Reds, both for his defensive and creative contributions to the side.

Though he's not in the same mould as the talismanic Steven Gerrard or at the same level of ability, Henderson is a strong long-term replacement for the Liverpool legend in midfield and was sorely missed earlier in the season when he was on the sidelines.

The England international's form and fitness will be key to the rest of Liverpool's season as they bid to finish in the top four.

With a crucial January coming up—they face Manchester United and Arsenal as well as Stoke City in the League Cup semi-finals—Henderson's leadership on the field will be needed to drive the Reds on.