Did January have many positives for Liverpool?

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Flop of the Month: Christian Benteke (5.875)

English duo Adam Lallana and Jordon Ibe were generally off-colour during the month of January, but their topsy-turvy form is still a mile away from the poor figure of Benteke. The Belgian has, time and again, failed to impose himself onto games, even against the two games against lowly Exeter. Besides getting the assist for Joe Allen’s last-minute equaliser against Arsenal, Benteke’s impact off the bench has simply not been good enough for Klopp to trust him with what is Firmino’s spot right now especially for important league games.

He did not score at all during January, and is looking more like a liability than a potential impact player off the bench. Simply put, Benteke is playing for his future under Klopp, and this next five months will prove pivotal in his Anfield career. Can he turn things around in February like Firmino did this month?

Highlights:

With replays seemingly being needed for every round of the FA Cup and a measly one win and one draw in the league, there is little to cheer about for Liverpool right now – besides the trip to Wembley in February. This was achieved by a nail biting penalty shootout against Stoke, with Allen and the much-maligned Simon Mignolet the heroes of that night.

In terms of playing personnel, besides the return to form of Firmino and Allen, the emergence of young midfielders Cameron Brannagan and Kevin Stewart should come as a welcome surprise for Reds supporters. Both have contrasting styles, as Brannagan is more in the mould of a creative passing midfielder, and Stewart seemingly more inclined towards tackling and moving from box to box. Yet both seem to be capable enough to contribute, as well as bolster the first team squad. Both Brannagan and Stewart saw action in similar games, the two against Exeter and the FA Cup tie against Premier League side West Ham, with both most impressive against the latter.

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If the West Ham game was anything to go by, Stewart looks like a decent back-up in holding midfield for Lucas Leiva, with his more dynamic and athletic approach surely tempting Klopp with the manager’s preference for high-pressing midfielders. Brannagan on the other hand, seems to have a gem of a right foot, capable of producing quality set-piece deliveries and shooting from long range with both feet. They are certainly going to be given more opportunities in February, perhaps in the league as well.

The biggest highlight has to be the return to fitness of Liverpudlian Jon Flanagan. After almost two years out with a recurring injury, Flanagan managed thirty minutes against Exeter at Anfield, before another 105 minutes against Stoke, playing his part in the semi-final. He looked strong in the tackle, aggressive and touch-tight to his opposition winger, and did not look fazed pushing forward. Flanagan’s return is crucial for the second half of the season, as his versatility and ability allows him to deputise for Nathaniel Clyne at right-back, or even replace Alberto Moreno at left-back should the Spaniard’s form fail to improve in the coming games.