The Belgian has struggled to get game time at Liverpool under Jurgen Klopp, with the likes of Daniel Sturridge, Divock Origi and Roberto Firmino ahead of the £32.5 million signing in the pecking order. 

 

Christian Benteke has fallen out of favour at Liverpool in his very first season, with manager Jurgen Klopp instead deciding to place his faith on young Belgian striker Divock Origi. Brazilian midfielder Roberto Firmino has also often been used as a false 9 in the absence of the injury prone Daniel Sturridge.

The 25-year-old forward has now stated that he will make a decision after Euro 2016 on whether to continue at Anfield or seek greener pastures elsewhere.

“I still have a contract at Liverpool and I’d like to stay there, if I remain in the coach’s plans. If that’s not the case, it will become difficult to stay. I’ll think about if after the Euros,” said Benteke, according to the Guardian.

“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 he [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.”

Origi’s breakthrough season spells doom for his Belgian teammate

Liverpool FC v Stoke City FC
21-year-old striker Divock Origi is one of the players who has thrived under new manager Jurgen Klopp. The youngster had some memorable outings this season, including a hat-trick against Southampton in the Capital One Cup quarter-final, and has notched up the same number of goals as his compatriot Benteke in less than half the playing time.

Christian Benteke was a consistent performer for former club Aston Villa, but the move to a bigger club has backfired on him with the arrival of new manager Jurgen Klopp. Since the German’s arrival in mid-October, Benteke has started just 13 of 52 matches for the Reds, and the rise of Origi means that his time at Anfield could be coming to an end.

At just 25 years old, Benteke would be an attractive prospect for several teams, including ambitious Premier League clubs like West Ham United and Southampton. A move to a different league — perhaps the Serie A given Juventus’ reported interest — is also a possibility.

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