Liverpool's Christian Benteke will be as good as Robert Lewandowski, claims Brendan Rodgers

Manager who signed £32m forward says he can become one of the world's best if fans show patience, despite a return of just seven goals for the Reds this season

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Liverpool’s struggling striker Christian Benteke can be as good as Robert Lewandowski if he is given time to adapt at Anfield, claims Brendan Rodgers.

Benteke has scored just seven goals since joining Liverpool from Aston Villa for £32m during the summer, leading to suggestions he may move on at the end of the season.

However, former Liverpool manager Rodgers says the forward can emulate Lewandowski – who has won three Bundesliga titles with Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich – if he is given time to adapt to Jurgen Klopp’s style.

“We felt at that time that Christian was up there in terms of goals to games,” Rodgers said of his decision to move for Benteke, who netted 16 times for Villa last season.

“We felt that he was someone that we didn’t have in the squad. The problem now is the patience element. There doesn’t seem to be time.

“We talk about patience. An example is Robert Lewandowski at Bayern Munich and he wouldn’t have got the patience in the Premier League that he did in the Bundesliga and now look at him. Christian over time will show he’s a top class player.”

Rodgers revealed that he invited Klopp to his home after the German was appointed as his successor.

“I remember when Klopp first got the job and we sat down and we spoke. We sat and had a chat at my house. He’s a good guy. Whatever help he needed going into the job, I was there for that.