Christian Benteke, the Liverpool striker who was sold to Crystal Palace at the start of the season, had a go at former boss Jurgen Klopp. The German manager sold the expensive signing from Aston Villa after just one season at the Merseyside club.
Benteke had joined Liverpool after scoring 15 goals from 34 games for the Villains but he could not score at a great rate for the Reds. The 25-year-old only managed nine Premier League goals in 29 games for the club. He was then sold in the summer for a fee of £27m which could rise another £5m based on performances.
The Belgian didn’t mince his words when he was speaking about his former club and was quoted by the Express as saying:
“I feel so happy — I feel like me again and I feel now that I can get better and better.
“Right from when I spoke to Alan Pardew for the first time, he promised me he would do everything to get the best out of me.
“He told me he believed in my ability and that he wanted me to play to my strengths.”
The former Villa man also stated that the belief in his abilities was not always there at Liverpool.
“That was not the case at Liverpool where I always believed I was in a losing battle to prove myself.
“I know I could have done better at Liverpool with the minutes I had. But even so I believe that at Palace I have a freedom I never had last season.
“I feel I can express myself again — even make mistakes — and that the manager will still have trust in me and that is important.
“He lets me play with freedom and I believe that now I am at Palace I can get better and better.”
Never given the chance at Liverpool
While Benteke did state that he was never given the freedom to play at Liverpool, this is partly true. The Belgian was never going to work well with the pass and move system that Brendan Rodgers used and it wasn’t a surprise that Jurgen Klopp sold him the first chance he got.
Benteke is a great target man and if Liverpool played with wingers who can cross into the box, the Belgian would have thrived. Unfortunately for Liverpool and for Benteke that was not the case last season.
This season too it isn’t any difference and although the Reds are doing great, Benteke would never have fit in. The Reds now play a high pressing game where pace is a major requirement.
Benteke though has been doing pretty well at Palace and has scored thrice in five games. Palace do seem to be a better club for the Belgian at the moment thanks to their playing style. The use of wingers to provide crosses for Benteke does seem to be working well.
This is a second or even a third chance for Benteke to prove he belongs in the Premier League and if he can back his words on the pitch, there is no doubt he will be back to his best.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BvKrKtElRK0
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