FA Cup talking points: Christian Benteke, Jon Flanagan and impressive Tottenham
Thursday 21 January 2016 08:44, UK
Did Christian Benteke do himself any favours? How will Jon Flanagan fit back in at Liverpool? And some praise for Mauricio Pochettino's Tottenham on the road... here's five talking points from Wednesday's FA Cup replays.
One step forward, one step back for Benteke
Just as in the original tie against Exeter, Liverpool's Belgian striker was named in the starting line-up at Anfield with the clear intention to get his confidence up.
Belief was never a problem during his Aston Villa days, and on Wednesday night the 25-year-old was involved in just about everything; some positive, some negative.
He had six shots on goal, claimed one assist and played a big part in the opening goal, but won only 36.4 per cent of his aerial duels.
Benteke's ability is undoubted, but the way he fits into Jurgen Klopp's plans is up for discussion. In the first-half, Liverpool pelted the penalty area with aerial balls, one of which was bread and butter for a misfiring Benteke.
Whether 'get it wide and get it in' works for Klopp against tougher opposition is another doubt, but Benteke can help himself by being more settled on the ball in wide areas. Master that, and Benteke becomes the middle and final third team player Klopp wants.
Jon 'Scouse Cafu' Flanagan returns
One of the biggest cheers of the night from the Kop came after 50 minutes as Jon Flanagan ended his 20-month absence through injury, a long-awaited return to senior action.
It even prompted Cafu to tweet: "I have a thousand tweets! I guess it's the return of a friend to the field!!!" after Reds fans, who dub Flanagan the 'Scouse Cafu', sent a barrage of messages to the legendary Brazil right-back.
"Nobody deserved it more than him," Klopp said of Flanagan's heart-warming welcome home but where will he fit in? At the moment the 23-year-old offers much-needed competition to Nathaniel Clyne at right-back and Alberto Moreno on the left, but although he took to the senior call like a duck to water back in 2013 under Brendan Rodgers, patience will be required.
Forty minutes against Exeter told us little, but Klopp will undoubtedly give Flanagan more than a chance to prove himself between now and the end of the season.
The kids are alright
Exeter were arguably the better side at St James Park earlier this month, but on a slick pitch the Liverpool youngsters were able to express themselves on Wednesday.
Sheyi Ojo got his first Liverpool goal with a superb nonchalant finish, while the ever-energetic Joao Teixeira capped a good display with a cool late finish.
Aside from the goalscorers, Cameron Brannagan was fearless driving forward in wide areas, while Kevin Stewart showed raw talent and naivety in equal measure.
Special praise is reserved for Brad Smith, however, who is another providing real competition for Moreno at left-back.
On his first Anfield appearance the 21-year-old was consistently positive on the ball, and having already praised Klopp for saving his Reds career, we will no doubt see plenty more of the Australian.
Spurs marching under Pochettino
As well as setting up an FA Cup fourth round tie with Colchester United, Wednesday's third-round replay victory at the King Power Stadium saw Tottenham go an eighth game unbeaten on road, a feat last achieved way back in 1990.
With a clinical performance from the first minute to last, a much-changed Spurs outfit showed how far the club continue to progress under Mauricio Pochettino.
Despite making eight changes, the north Londoners dominated for large spells against a Leicester side they have failed to beat twice in the past 10 days.
Interestingly, it appears recruitment at White Hart Lane - often the thorn in Spurs' side - finally appears to be coming to fruition, with Pochettino adding much-needed strength in depth and quality.
Heung-Min Son's match-winning display at Leicester shows the Argentine now has the luxury of resting the likes of Harry Kane and Dele Alli without jeopardising the club's three-pronged trophy push.
Utilising the squad at his disposal could yet prove to be Pochettino's biggest challenge as Spurs look to maintain their challenge on three fronts. Yet, given Wednesday's performance, it appears he certainly has the players to do so.
Leicester bubble bursting?
Many have questioned whether Leicester could maintain their remarkable form through the season.
While defeat for only the fourth time this term may fuel those doubting the Foxes' title and top-four aspirations, it certainly draws question marks over their staying power at the top of the league.
Spurs' eight changes at the King Power went relatively unnoticed but Claudio Ranieri's wholesale alterations left a huge void in the team.
The Foxes simply cannot afford to leave the likes of Riyad Mahrez and Jamie Vardy on the sidelines, with a lack of like-for-like replacements waiting in the wings.
One win in their last seven games in all competitions suggests things may be beginning to tail off for Leicester, they'll need their two main men firing on all cylinders if they are to prove their doubters wrong in the coming weeks.
