Christian Benteke might have been an expensive signing for the Reds by Brendan Rodgers but the Belgian didn’t really shine at Merseyside and was sold after one season. The 25-year-old striker seems to have found his feet at Crystal Palace this season and spoke out about his relationship with Jurgen Klopp.
Benteke had signed for the eagles for an initial fee of £27 million and has certainly gotten into the groove of scoring. The Belgian has eight goals from 14 Premier League games while he only scored nine from 29 for the Reds last season.
While many believe that there was a breakdown in communication between Klopp and the striker, Benteke revealed that the relationship between the pair isn’t broken. Speaking with French outlet L’Equipe, the former Aston Villa striker said:
“I do not think so. We’ve always had a good relationship.”
The 26-year-old was also linked with a move to join Klopp at Borussia Dortmund during his Villa days and Benteke highlighted that fact as well.
“I went to see him after my first season at Aston Villa in 2013, because he wanted me to Dortmund, he liked my style of play.”
One thing that did not work in the favour of Benteke was Rodgers being dismissed early on after the Belgian was brought to the club. The Northern Irishman had his own plans for the big striker but with Klopp coming in, that all went down the drain.
“When I signed for Liverpool, Rodgers wanted me; it all went well, I decided to go there and six matches after he was fired.”
Certainly A Right Move For Both The Parties
It does seem like Liverpool made the right decision by letting the big striker leave this season, as Klopp’s high pressing style would certainly not have suited Benteke and it would have stagnated his career as the German manager has played with Roberto Firmino and Divock Origi as the main strikers.
Both players put in a long shift and do a lot of tracking back and defensive work while Benteke would have thrived with constant crosses coming into the box. Origi and Firmino also work the channels well, something that the now Palace man certainly was not great at.
Alan Pardew’s side aren’t flying high this season but Benteke certainly has got his shooting boots back on for the London side. It was a little upsetting to see such a talent slip through because of a clash of playing styles but thankfully he has found his way at another club and hopefully better things will lead for him in the future.
