Benteke: We can put Chelsea under pressure
Christian Benteke believes it could be the right time for Liverpool to take on Chelsea this afternoon and the striker is primed to raise his game for the kind of match he relishes.
The No.9 is back in contention to feature at Stamford Bridge after sitting out the 1-0 victory over Bournemouth in the Capital One Cup on Wednesday evening.
While Jürgen Klopp was able to celebrate his first win in midweek, the Blues have only been successful in one of their last seven fixtures in all competitions.
That statistic forges optimism in Benteke, who sees the lunchtime kick-off as an opportunity for the Reds to use the manager’s pressing strategy to extend Chelsea’s poor run.
“I think it’s the right time to go there, because they are under pressure to be fair,” the Belgian told Liverpoolfc.com before the trip to London.
“They have to win, we have to win. So it’s going to be a good game and hopefully we can come back to Liverpool with the three points.
“With the type of game we play now, with the high pressing, we have a chance to put them under pressure. Then let’s see what’s going to happen.”
The summer signing has scored at Stamford Bridge before, notching for former club Aston Villa during a 2-1 defeat there in August 2013.
Now he’s determined to repeat the trick with the Reds and make his mark on the type of occasion he was anticipating upon arriving at the club.
“That’s why I signed for Liverpool – to play in a big fixture against a big team,” Benteke added.
“Everyone wants to do well. We just need to play like we have, to press and try to get the ball as soon as possible.
“When you see Chelsea struggling and losing so many games, it’s the first time you have seen it – especially with [Jose] Mourinho. They have had a bad time and hopefully they will have a bad time on Saturday and we can win.”