Transfer Centre

Christian Benteke: 'I want to stay at Liverpool'

By Barney Corkhill, Editor | 08 June 2016

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.