Latest on Benteke to Liverpool

After selling Raheem Sterling for a impressive £49million, Liverpool have splurged the cash on Christian Benteke.
 

Liverpool were reluctant to pay the asking price for Benteke. After weeks of negotiating with Aston Villa, they came to a conclusion that the only way to sign the Striker was triggering his Release Clause of £32.5million. Now Villa are hapless and have no say in the deal, they now need to agree upon how much Liverpool will pay upfront.

Supporters of Merseyside club remain ambivalent about Christian Benteke, not just about his playing style but the fee. However, Liverpool’s intentions are clear; they want a clinical striker who can win matches on his own. Balotelli did not offer them that last season, even while creating several chances Liverpool’s attack lacked a certain bite in final third. They never did replace Luis Suarez, and although Benteke and Suarez are quite different players, both have one thing in common, they are clinical upfront.

The Belgian may not have finesse or is cunning like Suarez, but what he does offer is Brute Strength. He can hold up play on his own, occupy defenders and bring others into play. He also has pace and is an aerial threat.  While his time at Villa, no player scored more headed goals than him in PL (13). While some Liverpool fans may argue that Liverpool does not need a striker who can score headers because that is not how they play, it is indeed true; No side averaged fewer crosses per game than Liverpool (17), that will change once they have an option. And that is what Benteke is there for, to give them options in attack.

Christian Benteke’s time in Aston Villa has been impressive, even with a team that was devoid of creativity and guile under Lambert. Benteke has made 89 appearances for Villa and scored 42 goals. That is almost a goal every other match. At Liverpool he will have twice the number of chances he got at Villa, and these numbers are only going to improve.

So even though many have their doubts on Benteke, I feel Liverpool have made an astute signing that will make them a much stronger team. The trio of Benteke, Firmino and Coutinho is something to revel about.