Sunderland 0-1 Liverpool: Benteke repays Klopp faith with winner

Christian Benteke vindicated Jurgen Klopp's decision to start him in Liverpool's visit to Sunderland as he netted the game's only goal in Wednesday's 1-0 win.

Doubts have persisted over whether the Belgian marksman suited the German's style of football, but the former proved his worth as he bagged the Reds' winner against Leicester City on Boxing Day.

Klopp rewarded the striker by naming Benteke in his starting XI at the Stadium of Light, and it was a decision that proved vital as the striker bagged his second crucial goal in as many games.

It fell to the former Aston Villa man to break the deadlock after a goalless first half when Adam Lallana threaded the ball through to him, with the 25-year-old doing the rest of the work to find the back of the net.

He then had the chance to double his and the Reds' tally right before the full-time whistle went, but fired straight at Vito Mannone when one-on-one with the goalkeeper.

Benteke's sixth goal in seven games against the Black Cats was borne out of sloppy Sunderland play, which Sam Allardyce has failed to eradicate fully since replacing Dick Advocaat.

After highlight wins over Chelsea and Manchester City were followed by worrying defeats to Newcastle United and Watford, Klopp may well have been pleased with the grit Liverpool have shown after drawing level with sixth-placed Manchester United on the back of consecutive clean sheets.

With Divock Origi adding to Klopp's lengthy injury list, Benteke again proved the hero, acting in tandem with Lallana, Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino to shoulder the visitors' attacking burden.

Firmino could only scuff the ball out of play early on after former Liverpool defender Sebastian Coates' jittery clearance gave Coutinho the chance to drive forward.

Jermain Defoe's strike forced Simon Mignolet into his first stop and at the other end, after a Coutinho free-kick hit the roof of the net, Firmino drew a stunning save out of Mannone, who got fingertips to divert the Brazilian's swerving 25-yarder onto the left-hand post.

Allardyce was forced into a change on the half-hour as the injury-plagued Jack Rodwell, one of four changes to the side that had lost to Manchester City, was forced off and replaced by Duncan Watmore.

The striker's energetic introduction - chasing down and tackling Nathaniel Clyne to appreciative home cheers - seemed to energise Sunderland, Fabio Borini and Adam Johnson shooting off target as the hosts gained momentum before the break.

But they totally failed to carry that into the second half and Benteke put Liverpool ahead with a calm finish after Lallana prodded Clyne's diagonal pass beyond the Sunderland defence.

Allardyce's frustrations deepened as Coates limped off and Kone's imminent arrival will help soothe a backline wrecked by injuries.

Sunderland's inability to penetrate a Liverpool defence that has shown signs of weakness all season left many in the stands to quietly ponder what 2016 will bring, though Benteke ponderously wasting a chance one-on-one in stoppage time - as he did on Boxing Day - raised a mirthful cheer from the otherwise frustrated home fans.