Liverpool transfer news: Christian Benteke will 'definitely' be sold in the summer, says Mark Lawrenson

Benteke returned from a month on the sidelines in the 1-0 defeat by Villarreal on Thursday but is tipped to leave at the end of the season

Christian Benteke will be sold be Liverpool in the summer, says Mark Lawrenson (Getty)

Christian Benteke will “definitely” be sold by Liverpool in the summer, according to former Reds defender Mark Lawrenson.

The BBC pundit was co-commentating on Five Live’s coverage of Liverpool’s 1-0 defeat by Villarreal in the Europa League semi-final first-leg on Thursday night, which leaves Jurgen Klopp’s side needing a 1-0 victory just to take the tie to extra-time and a two-goal win needed to reach the final.

The match at the El Madrigal stadium was notable for Benteke’s introduction in the dying minutes of the encounter, despite Klopp having the option of England international striker Daniel Sturridge in the substitutes’ bench.

But despite Benteke’s return from a month-long injury, doubts remain over his future with the Merseyside club and Lawrenson believes his time at Anfield will end after just one season with the club.

“I think somebody definitely will take a chance on Benteke,” Lawrenson said on Five Live. “It’s not a big chance, it’s a massive risk.

“I think he’ll be sold in the summer, I have absolutely no doubt about that whatsoever. He’s just not the kind of player that Klopp wants in his team, it really is that simple. I don’t think there’s any personality clash, just the way he is as a player and that’s not going to change now. He’s not what Klopp wants.

“I think there’ll be a host of clubs wanting to take Christian Benteke, I don’t think that will be a problem at all.”

Listen to Lawrenson's comments below...

Benteke was signed last summer by former manager Brendan Rodgers, with the forward making a solid start with four goals coming in his first eight matches for the Reds. However, his form tailed off and the arrival of Klopp saw Benteke embark on a poor run of just two goals in 15 Premier League matches, with the Belgian adding just one more goal to his tally in the 2-1 victory over Crystal palace last month.