Keown says why Liverpool’s Benteke is better than Everton’s Lukaku

Follow us on Google Discover

Martin Keown says Romelu Lukaku’s inconsistency places him behind Christian Benteke.

Romelu Lukaku has hit form for Everton early this season but Martin Keown has told The Mail he still regards him below Liverpool new boy Christian Benteke.

The former Arsenal defender says he does not doubt Lukaku’s talent and what he has shown this campaign already, but wants to see him become more consistent.

He told The Mail: “I think his close control could be better and he got little change out of Kompany and Mangala at the weekend.

“I think that’s where Christian Benteke is ahead of him – he is more aggressive. If Lukaku was more consistently aggressive then he’d be a better player. Sometimes Everton don’t go into him often enough or early enough and that can hinder him.

“In a funny way Benteke going to Liverpool could be good news for Everton as it might free up Lukaku – you never want to be in people’s shadows on Merseyside.”

The two strikers are international colleagues and close pals, and Keown is surely right that they will be trying to outdo each other, also in order to earn the chance to lead the line for Belgium if they qualify for Euro 2016.

There has not much to choose between the duo since they both signed with Premier League sides, with Benteke playing fewer games due to a spell on the sidelines with injury.

Benteke’s goals per game ratio is almost one in two, and ranks higher than Lukaku’s – but the Everton man’s creative side comes out on top.

There will be real focus on the pair for this season’s upcoming Merseyside Derby’s, with Daniel Sturridge and Gerard Deulofeu reduced to supporting roles if fit.