Aston Villa boss Tim Sherwood has hit back at Christian Benteke amid accusations that he told the Liverpool striker that his style would not suit the Reds.

The Belgian marksman swapped Villa Park for Anfield in a £32.5m deal last month, before taking a swipe at his former manager for suggesting that he would not fit into their attack.

"I can't remember ever saying that, he must have dreamt that one," the ex-Tottenham Hotspur coach is quoted as saying by The Mirror.

"I would try anything to make him stay but I don't remember ever saying he shouldn't go and play for Liverpool. I wouldn't be that disrespectful to that football club."

Sherwood replaced axed Paul Lambert in February in a managerial change that appeared to bring the best out of Benteke, who netted 13 times in his final 16 games of the season.

He also criticised Sherwood for taking too much credit in the resurgence - another claim that the 46-year-old strenuously denies.

Sherwood added: "I took no credit, people gave me credit, I didn't take it, I didn't ask for it."

Benteke's first goal for the Merseysiders came in last week's 2-1 win over Swindon Town - a chest-and-volley from outside the area.