MX23RW : Sunday, December 29 03:35:38| >> :120:16271:16271:

Christian Benteke: 'I want to stay at Liverpool'

Liverpool striker Christian Benteke expresses his desire to stay at the club this summer, but only if he is in Jurgen Klopp's plans.

Liverpool striker Christian Benteke has expressed his desire to stay at the club this summer.

The Belgium international joined Liverpool for £32.5m in July last year but endured a disappointing debut campaign at Anfield, scoring just 10 goals in all competitions.

The 25-year-old slipped behind the likes of Daniel Sturridge, Divock Origi and Roberto Firmino in the pecking order under Jurgen Klopp, and while he would like to stay at the club, Benteke hinted that he would move if he was not in the manager's plans.

"At 25 years old, I'm neither old nor young but it's important to play. I still have a contract at Liverpool and I'd like to stay there, if I remain in the coach's plans," he told reporters.

"If that's not the case, it will become difficult to stay. I'll think about if after the Euros. 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 [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."

Benteke, who is currently on Belgium duty at Euro 2016, started just 13 of 52 matches after Klopp replaced Brendan Rodgers in October.

ID:274375: cacheID:274375:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2621:
Written by
Barney Corkhill
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Christian Benteke of Liverpool runs with the ball during the Barclays Premier League match between Liverpool and A.F.C. Bournemouth at Anfield on August 17, 2015
Read Next:
Christian Benteke seeks Klopp talks
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
1.15am
Cardinals
@
Rams
6pm
Jets
@
Bills
6pm
Panthers
@
Buccaneers
6pm
Colts
@
Giants
6pm
Titans
@
Jags
6pm
Raiders
@
Saints
6pm
Packers
@
Vikings
9.05pm
Dolphins
@
Browns
9.25pm
Cowboys
@
Eagles
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool17133140172342
2Arsenal18106235161936
3Chelsea18105338211735
4Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest1810442419534
5Newcastle UnitedNewcastle188553021929
6Bournemouth188552721629
7Manchester CityMan City188463026428
8Fulham187742623328
9Aston Villa188462629-328
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton186842726126
11Brentford187383232024
12Tottenham HotspurSpurs1872939261323
13West Ham UnitedWest Ham186572330-723
14Manchester UnitedMan Utd186482124-322
15Everton173861522-717
16Crystal Palace183871826-817
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1843112940-1115
18Leicester CityLeicester1835102240-1814
19Ipswich TownIpswich1826101633-1712
20Southampton1813141137-266


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!