Liverpool seem set to bring in Aston Villa striker Christian Benteke.

The Merseyside team have agreed to meet the Belgian hitman’s £32.5m release clause.

The powerful forward could be a real hit as long as he hits the ground running and scores from the start!

At only twenty-four, the striker has already proven himself in the English Premier League. In his three seasons at Villa Park, Benteke has managed a fairly impressive forty-two league goals in eighty-eight appearances. In total the Belgian internationalist has scored forty-nine goals in English football when you include domestic cup games.

Since arriving in England in 2012, no player has bettered Benteke’s thirteen headed goals. Plus at least he won’t be facing the Reds next term, he had a canny ability of scoring against Liverpool whilst at Aston Villa!

His performances towards the end of last term were significant in keeping Villa in the Premier League. At times he was almost unstoppable and would make excellent runs, jump higher than anyone else and bully central defenders.

Christian offers a strong presence up top and that has been something that Brendan Rodgers has wanted since he arrived at Anfield with Andy Carroll, Mario Balotelli and Rickie Lambert all failing to convince the Liverpool boss.

Many times last term Liverpool seemed stumped as they looked for a Plan B when Daniel Sturridge was out injured, which was often last season. Benteke’s battling attributes and no nonsense style would offer Rodgers that much needed alternative.

At Liverpool he’ll probably have to equal or better his best league season he had with the Midlands (nineteen goals).

But with the likes of Roberto Firmino and Philippe Coutinho playing behind him and providing him with plenty ammunition it’s hard to think of Benteke not scoring tons of goals at Anfield. The big man could also be a perfect foil to play alongside Sturridge up-front against the right opposition as longs as both can stay fit.

In terms of injuries, Christian did suffer from a severe achilles injury back in 2014. That injury kept him out of the World Cup last summer. While it took the forward a bit of time, he did prove in early 2015 that he had fully recovered from that ruptured achilles tendon both physically and mentally.

Some of Liverpool’s fans will question the Christian Benteke signing. In fairness it happens in most transfer deals plus they’ve been fooled in the past.

While Benteke won’t be as sensational or as scintillating to watch as Luis Suarez was, he does offer Brendan Rodgers that valuable Plan B.

Yes the £32.5m fee is slightly excessive but it’s the going rate for a young ambitious striker who has proven himself quite the goalscorer in the Premier League.

Plus let’s face it if Christian can help Liverpool to silverware and a top four finish then no one will be questioning his ability or his price.

All he can do now is score the goals needed to become a Liverpool hero or sink like a few of those before him!

Posted on July 18th, 2015 by scott
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