4 Apr 2016

You're Out: After Klopp bust-up, Liverpool invite offers for 'terrific' £40m star. Season-killer?

After being marginalised by Jurgen Klopp this year, the end is seemingly nigh for 'terrific' Liverpool striker Christian Benteke, and according to reports over the weekend, Liverpool are ready to offload the Belgian striker this summer.

According to The Mirror:

"Liverpool are willing to listen to offers for [Benteke], who [signed] from Aston Villa last summer".

Things have gone from bad to worse for Benteke over the last few months:

* Barely played by Klopp, and restricted to an average of 17 minutes per game since January. Recently had aon on-field bust-up with Klopp, which won't do his playing chances any good.

* Currently injured, and is expected to be out for at least a month, which basically means his season is over.

* International place under threat, as confirmed recently by Belgium manager Mark Wilmots: "It's difficult for him. Klopp visibly made his choice. Now, he has to work. Christian has the time to prove that he can mean something. I will choose [strikers] depending on what they bring".

Benteke's current injury (plus lack of playing time) will probably lead to Wilmots excluding him from the Belgium squad for Euro 2016, which will cap a miserable year for the Belgian, who is clearly rueing the day he signed for Liverpool. He suggested this last week. Speaking to reporters whilst on international duty, Benteke barked:

“I played two full matches in a row since Klopp [arrived]. Sgainst Leicester, I scored. I followed that with a goal against Sunderland. Since then, I have been discarded. The thing that is annoying is that I never would have signed if I had not been the priority of the coach."

Last week, Sky Sports claimed:

"West Ham have identified Christian Benteke...as a priority target. Sources have told Sky Sports that they are prepared to pay as much as £40m".

This is a dream scenario for Liverpool, but it sounds utterly improbable. Still, under the right management, Benteke can prosper, and maybe Slaven Bilic feels he can get the best out of the Belgian?

Author: Jaimie K


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