Christian Benteke's stunning first goal hints at bright Liverpool future

It is little wonder the Liverpool manager described the Belgian striker as "a bargain" at £32.5m after the quality of this 20-yard effort in a 2-1 win for his side a week before the Reds visit Stoke City for their Premier League opener.

Jonathan Obika equalised for Swindon before Sheyi Ojo sealed the win for the visitors.

While his first goal for his new club came against a team well below Liverpool in the football pyramid, it was still a boost for Rodgers and Liverpool after having their hopes dashed by Mario Balotelli's performance last season.

Another goalscoring failure, Rickie Lambert, was sold to West Bromwich Albion last week, just a year after joining from Southampton.

"Christian's goal was incredible, whether it was a pre-season friendly or in a league or cup game. It was wonderful technique from the big guy," said Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers.

"The other guys started to get some minutes under their belt; Firmino, Emre Can, boys that have come back a bit later. It was pleasing all round.

"It finished off our pre-season preparations - a number of guys needed a game today. It was a really good exercise."

Rodgers had told Liverpool's official site about Benteke's arrival: "I think he'll prove to be a bargain for the club, I really do.

"I've read and seen things about his game, but in the short period of time he's been in, I've been even more impressed.

"I've seen him up close now for three years, stood at the side of the field and watching this guy - not just his power and strength, but also his footballing ability.

"One of the goals I remember he scored against us at Anfield, he ran halfway through the field. This isn't someone who lacks pace, movement and intelligence. He's not a guy to chuck the ball up to.

"Of course, his strength allows you to keep the ball, but he'll really help the unpredictability of our game this season.

"We know he can play football, we know he can play counter-attack, but we also know when we cross the ball, we've got a real presence in the box that is going to allow us to keep the ball in the box for periods of time and for others to get goals from."

His volley against Swindon went some way to justify those statements, showing that Benteke is more than just an extremely expensive target man.

Rodgers has a huge task on his hands - he must now incorporate Roberto Firmino and Benteke into a side which will try to rehabilitate Lazar Markovic, continue to get the most out of Philippe Coutinho, and move on from the exits of Steven Gerrard and Raheem Sterling.