Brendan: Benteke is the reference

Benteke struck twice when Aston Villa shocked Anfield with a 3-1 turnover in December 2012, although the 22-year-old's effort in the reverse fixture proved merely a consolation.

He has wasted little time in firing three goals since the Barclays Premier League campaign kicked off either and Rodgers knows the forward is the focal point of a rapid young attack under Paul Lambert.

"There's no doubt Benteke is the reference point for the team - the ball goes up to him and he holds it up well. He's a big, powerful boy," the manager said at his press conference on Thursday.

"They had a hard season last season, Aston Villa, but that first year when you come into a new club there are different challenges that you have to meet and Paul had that last year.

"I very much expect for them to have a very good season. They are very much a counter-attacking team that set up to defend half a pitch and then break out with the pace of Benteke, Agbonlahor in particular and young Andreas Weimann on the side.

"Weimann, who I have seen for a number of years, makes good runs and has got a knack for a goal. It's just about trying to control the counter-attack, they have got fast and energetic players.

"Those three are a real threat going forward and they've got three energetic midfield players that pass and move. Young Westwood likes to get on the ball and pass it, and Delph likes to get forward.

"But our focus is really on our own game; we know the form we're in and with the mentality and confidence of the players it should be a really good game.

"It's going to be a tough game, their first game at home as well this season so they'll be looking to perform well. Our mind is very good at the moment; the players are continuing from last season and we just want to keep that going."

The Reds travel to the Midlands for their Saturday evening encounter with early momentum for the new season following last weekend's dramatic victory at home to Stoke City - a tremendous show of character according to Rodgers.

He said: "That's been a big emphasis for us as we've gone along since I've come in.

"In order to be a winner you have to have the belief and that was something that, maybe coming in last year, we weren't able to do consistently. But we've picked up a lot.

"It might only have been a small thing last week but to get that win shows the development, mentally, in the group.

"I can only speak highly of the players because they are the ones doing the work, they are the ones being driven. To get that last week was very important for us.

"The bottom line is that we've got some outstanding players here, some top players. We'll keep finding the ways to hopefully win games and hopefully then add to the squad alongside that."

Simon Mignolet was the hero against the Potters with his late penalty save from Jonathan Walters and his manager believes the goalkeeper could be worth at least 10 points to the club this year.

"I thought it was a nice thing for him early on, to feel the crowd and the appreciation that they have," he said.

"We'd rather he didn't have to make the save but obviously it's great for a 'keeper. It has been a long time since that happened here. He certainly contributed to our win last week.

"That's why we brought him in - a top goalkeeper will get you 10-plus points a season. That's his first two, so a few more to go. If he does that then we'll be alright."

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Another summer signing to make his competitive bow for the Reds five days ago was defender Kolo Toure, who has been pinpointed by many as a potential replacement for the retired Jamie Carragher.

And the boss has been pleased so far: "He's a different type of character in his own way.

"He's a good man and he's actually funny to watch sometimes when you see him running about and he's always got a smile on his face.

"He's got a winning mentality and great belief in what we're doing here. His first leap against Peter Crouch last week showed the fitness, power and pace that he still has.

"He goes up for corners and looks like he can score every time he goes up because he wants to go and head the ball. I think we've got a player that is very hungry to do well.

"He respects everything about this great club; it's a huge privilege for him to be here and that's considering the clubs he has been at before. He's here to win, perform and do well.

"He's certainly a character and he offers that great leadership on the field, which is primarily what we got with Carra."

Rodgers' backline was further strengthened on Tuesday when the club completed the season-long loan signing of Frenchman Aly Cissokho to add increased competition at left-back.

Speaking for the first time about his decision to bring the Valencia defender to Anfield, Rodgers said: "He provides competition for Jose Enrique.

"He's a player that's got experience; only a few years back he went for €15million so he's a player that has got quality. The idea was to build the squad and make it competitive.

"It has allowed the likes of Jack Robinson to go out on loan and get experience.

"At the same time, it was important that we bring in someone that's got that experience, so if anything happens to Jose he can come straight into the team and fight for the position. Hopefully that will get the best out of both of them."