Christian Benteke says he wants to stay at Liverpool but admits he may have to look elsewhere if he’s not in manager Jurgen Klopp’s future plans.
Benteke joined Liverpool from Aston Villa for £32.5 million last summer, signing a five-year deal, but has struggled to make an impact at the Anfield.
The Belgium striker is keen to remain at the club, but if he remains out of favour with Klopp he may have to look elsewhere for playing time.
“At 25 years old, I’m neither old nor young but it’s important to play,” Benteke said at Belgium’s news conference.
“I still have a contract at Liverpool and I’d like to stay there, if I remain in the coach’s plans.
“If that’s not the case, it will become difficult to stay. I’ll think about if after the Euros.”
Benteke made 42 appearances in all competitions last season, netting just 10 times, with reports suggesting Klopp may be looking to recoup some of the fee former manager Brendan Rodgers paid for the striker’s services.
“I was prepared for what I went through [last season at Liverpool],” Benteke added. “I knew that if I had mixed performances I would be criticised. That’s what happened.
“When he [Klopp] arrived, I saw that I wasn’t in his plans. That was frustrating because I knew that during my first season at Aston Villa he wanted me.
“But we had several discussions together — I respect and I understand his decisions.”
With Klopp preferring Divock Origi and Daniel Sturridge ahead of Benteke, it makes sense that Liverpool would try and recoup some of that £32.5 million they spent on him this summer.
Benteke never seemed a good fit for Liverpool even under Rodgers. He is a traditional old-fashioned center-forward who os at his best when he can attack crosses coming into the penalty box. That was not Liverpool’s style under Rodgers and it is certainly not their style under Klopp. Makes you wonder why the Reds bought him in the first place?
