Liverpool transfer news: Christian Benteke insists he is happy and wants to stay at Anfield

The Belgium international has reaffirmed his commitment to the club despite a lack of playing time this season

Wednesday 13 April 2016 16:18 BST

Benteke has struggled for form and playing time since arriving at Anfield (Getty)

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Louise Thomas

Louise Thomas

Editor

Christian Benteke wants to stay at Liverpool and prove his worth to the club’s supporters despite enduring a disappointing first season at Anfield.

The Belgium international, who moved to Merseyside as part of a £32.5million deal from Aston Villa, hopes to re-establish himself in manager Jürgen Klopp’s plans, having seen compatriot and international understudy Divock Origi promoted above him in the pecking order up front.

Benteke told the club’s matchday programme that even though he has struggled this term, scoring just eight goals in 35 appearances for his new club, he is happy.

“Obviously it has not been the best season for me here,” Benteke said. “I haven’t played like I want to and that is frustrating but this is part of football.

“Even though things have not been as I wanted I’m really happy here,” he added. “Playing for this club is exciting, just like what I thought it would be. Now I want to finish this season well.”

The 25-year-old also refuted claims that he had lost confidence in recent months as his first-team opportunities have become more limited.

Liverpool players who could leave this summer

Show all 12

1/12Liverpool players who could leave this summer

Liverpool players who could leave this summer

Daniel Sturridge

An electric frontman just three years ago, Sturridge has now lost a bit of that spark due to persistent injury problems. However, according to Jamie Carragher, Sturridge has become irked at speculation linking him with a move away, suggesting he may yet stick around to prove himself. Survival rating: 6/10

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Liverpool players who could leave this summer

Alberto Moreno

Moreno is surely in line to depart this summer, having been frozen out of the starting line-up since the opening day win at Arsenal and kept out by a makeshift left-back. Although he offers an obvious attacking threat, his lack of composure has cost Liverpool too many times in his short Anfield career. Survival rating: 2/10

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Liverpool players who could leave this summer

Simon Mignolet

He may have won his battle with Loris Karius for the starting spot between the sticks, but both may have lost the war. Neither have convinced when given an opportunity and Mignolet is merely the man in possession. There will be concern if that’s still the case come next season’s opening weekend. Survival rating: 8/10

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Liverpool players who could leave this summer

Emre Can

A player with undoubted potential, but one who has consistently under-performed. His contractual situation is a worry, too. Can’s current deal expires in the summer of 2018 and, with negotiations progressing slowly, Liverpool could be tempted to cash in. Survival rating: 7/10

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Liverpool players who could leave this summer

Lucas Leiva

A club stalwart, a fan favourite, but a player undoubtedly coming to the end of his time at Anfield. His contract expires this summer and a renewal would be one borne out of sentiment rather than sense. Survival rating: 2/10

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Liverpool players who could leave this summer

Loris Karius

Like Mignolet, Karius' future will depend on whether Klopp decides to enter the market for a goalkeeper for the second consecutive summer. If he does, last year's signing from Mainz will have a long road back to the first team. He is young, though, and his status as a relatively new signing could work in his favour. Survival rating: 7/10

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Liverpool players who could leave this summer

Ragnar Klavan

Brought in as a fourth-choice centre-back last summer, Klavan shot up the pecking order following Mamadou Sakho’s disciplinary issues. Joel Matip’s injury problems saw Klavan promoted further still and, though he has put in a handful of solid displays, others have been below-par. If a new centre-back arrives and Joe Gomez’s development continues apace, Klavan will be back on the fringes. Survival rating: 7/10

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Liverpool players who could leave this summer

Mamadou Sakho

Sakho is currently out on loan at Crystal Palace and his Anfield career looks all but over after the disciplinary problems which have dogged him. Klopp looks to have made his mind up on the defender, who would be a regular starter if he had his manager's trust. Survival rating: 1/10

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Liverpool players who could leave this summer

Jon Flanagan

Local-born Flanagan is a fan favourite who only signed a new contract last season, but as an old-fashioned full-back, he is perhaps not dynamic enough for Klopp's system. A lack of minutes at loan club Burnley will not have helped his cause. Survival rating: 2/10

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Liverpool players who could leave this summer

Andre Wisdom

Wisdom broke into Brendan Rodgers' Liverpool side during the Northern Irishman's first season at the club, but his progress has stagnated. The 23-year-old may now look to build a career away from English football, having spent this season on loan at Red Bull Salzburg. Survival rating: 2/10

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Liverpool players who could leave this summer

Lazar Markovic

Markovic seems destined to become an expensive Liverpool flop, having flattered to deceive since his £20million move from Benfica in 2014. He could yet enjoy success elsewhere however, and has shown glimpses of his undeniable talent while on loan at Hull. Survival rating: 3/10

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Liverpool players who could leave this summer

Danny Ings

Liverpool's forgotten man has been unlucky with injuries since joining from Burnley. Ings has made just 11 starts in two years following two serious knee injuries. With any luck, Klopp will show sympathy to his beleaguered striker. Survival rating: 6/10

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“I never lose my self-confidence. But when you are not playing regularly you maybe lose a little bit of the speed or pace of the game compared to when you are playing in the side all of the time,” he said.

“You are just not as comfortable as when you play every weekend. Your match fitness isn’t the same.

“There is no secret. When things aren’t going well you just have to work harder and trust yourself.”

Benteke’s comments noticeably contrast with those made in an interview during the recent international break, when he claimed to not understand why Klopp “ignores” him.

“When your coach says he wanted to take you to [Borussia] Dortmund and a little later you sit at the same club and he ignores you it is hard to understand,” he told Belgium’s Sport/Voetbalmagazine.

Benteke has been criticised for failing to adapt to his manager’s intense, high-pressing style of play, with the more agile and athletic Origi preferred in recent weeks.

Speculation has linked both West Ham United and Atletico Madrid with the Belgium international.

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