Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has insisted that Christian Benteke is not lacking confidence, having failed to find the back of the net against Exeter City this evening.
The Belgian striker had a number of sights of goal in the FA Cup replay at Anfield, but failed to take any of them as Liverpool booked their place in the fourth round with a 3-0 victory.
However, Klopp was pleased with Benteke's overall contribution, which saw him play a part in two of his side's three goals.
When asked whether Benteke was short of confidence, Klopp told BT Sport: "No. I saw him immediately after the game and he was in good shape. It's not the most thankful game for a striker, all the defence players jump on him and the ref didn't help.
"There were a lot of situations, especially in the beginning of the game, where he said that Christian made a foul, and I couldn't see this. They were normal challenges. It was not easy for him but he was still in the game and he worked over 92 minutes and that was important for me.
"Of course, it would have been good for him and for us if he could have scored tonight, but he didn't. But be saw he was always in situations, he worked for the spaces around the box, in the box. A striker, if he doesn't score, is not satisfied - that's normal. But it was okay."
Liverpool's victory means that they will face West Ham United in the next round of the FA Cup on Saturday, January 30.
Barney Corkhill
