Jurgen Klopp defends misfiring Christian Benteke

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has defended striker Christian Benteke after another performance without a goal in this evening's FA Cup clash with West Ham United.

The Belgian spurned a number of opportunities throughout the fourth-round replay at Upton Park, including three in extra time before Angelo Ogbonna's late header sent Liverpool crashing out of the competition.

Benteke is yet to score this calendar year, but Klopp insists that he will help the striker to work through his current drought in front of goal.

"I don't believe in the easy goal. He has to carry on like this," Klopp is quoted as saying by BBC Sport.

"It's not the nicest moment in his career but he has to work hard. He wants to score and we need him to score. We will work on it in the days, weeks and months."

Benteke has scored just seven goals in 30 appearances for Liverpool since his £32.5m move last summer.