Liverpool’s Brendan Rodgers runs rule over ‘outstanding’ Christian Benteke

Brendan Rodgers heaped praise on outstanding Christian Benteke after Liverpool edged to a 1-0 victory over Stoke City on Sunday afternoon.

The Belgium international made his Premier League debut for the Merseyside outfit after he completed a £32.5m switch from Aston Villa earlier in the summer transfer window.

Benteke had a second-half attempt blocked by the Stoke defence after good work from Philippe Coutinho, and the towering striker completed 18 passes to team-mates during the 90 minutes.

And speaking to Sky Sports after their 1-0 win, Liverpool manager Rodgers spoke of his delight with the summer signing’s performance.

“I thought Christian was outstanding,” Rodgers said.

“He showed all the elements of the game: his touch, his movement in behind, his hold up play and his ability to occupy the whole defence on his own at times.

“It is important to have that ability to be unpredictable. Certainly today was a great start for us.”

Benteke won all seven of his aerial duals during the clash at The Britannia on Sunday.

Coutinho, who scored the club’s goal of the season against Southampton last year, fired a brilliant long-range strike past Jack Butland with four minutes remaining.

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Liverpool move up to fifth in the Premier League table after their opening win of the new campaign.