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.