MX23RW : Thursday, January 2 19:13:45| >> :60:566:566:

Christian Benteke: 'I want to stay at Liverpool'

Liverpool striker Christian Benteke expresses his desire to stay at the club this summer, but only if he is in Jurgen Klopp's plans.

Liverpool striker Christian Benteke has expressed his desire to stay at the club this summer.

The Belgium international joined Liverpool for £32.5m in July last year but endured a disappointing debut campaign at Anfield, scoring just 10 goals in all competitions.

The 25-year-old slipped behind the likes of Daniel Sturridge, Divock Origi and Roberto Firmino in the pecking order under Jurgen Klopp, and while he would like to stay at the club, Benteke hinted that he would move if he was not in the manager's plans.

"At 25 years old, I'm neither old nor young but it's important to play. I still have a contract at Liverpool and I'd like to stay there, if I remain in the coach's plans," he told reporters.

"If that's not the case, it will become difficult to stay. I'll think about if after the Euros. I was prepared for what I went through [last season]. I knew that if I had mixed performances I would be criticised. That's what happened.

"When [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."

Benteke, who is currently on Belgium duty at Euro 2016, started just 13 of 52 matches after Klopp replaced Brendan Rodgers in October.

ID:274375: cacheID:274375:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2621:
Written by
Barney Corkhill
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Christian Benteke of Liverpool runs with the ball during the Barclays Premier League match between Liverpool and A.F.C. Bournemouth at Anfield on August 17, 2015
Read Next:
Christian Benteke seeks Klopp talks
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool18143145172845
2Arsenal19116238172139
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest1911442619737
4Chelsea19105438231535
5Newcastle UnitedNewcastle1995532211132
6Manchester CityMan City199463226631
7Bournemouth198652923630
8Fulham197842825329
9Aston Villa198562831-329
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton196942928127
11Tottenham HotspurSpurs1973941281324
12Brentford197393335-224
13West Ham UnitedWest Ham196582335-1223
14Manchester UnitedMan Utd196492126-522
15Crystal Palace194872027-720
16Everton183871524-917
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1944113142-1116
18Ipswich TownIpswich1936101833-1515
19Leicester CityLeicester1935112242-2014
20Southampton1913151239-276


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!