By Boyega Johnson
Christian Benteke has sensationally admitted he regrets joining Liverpool after plummeting down the pecking order, Mirror Sport reports.
Benteke’s gametime has been dramatically reduced since Jurgen Klopp arrived on Merseyside and the £32.5m signing from Aston Villa is growing increasingly frustrated.
Klopp repeatedly overlooks the Belgian hitman and their relationship seemed to turn sour during the Reds clash with Southampton on Sunday as the enigmatic German publicly berated the 25-year-old striker for wasting a goalscoring opportunity.
Speaking to Belgian publication Sport/Voetbal Magazine, Benteke said “What’s annoying me most is that I would have never signed for Liverpool if I wasn’t the manager’s first choice.
“Since I went to England in 2012, I’ve never been on the bench for such a long period. It hurts, especially since I never was as fit as I am now.
“When a coach says he wanted to buy you when he was at Borussia Dortmund and then ignores you, then it’s difficult to understand. Some team-mates told me I was lucky when Klopp signed, because I would be certain to play.
“But with all the things I have experienced throughout my career, I knew it could go fast. I wasn’t wrong.”
Despite Benteke’s shocking confession, the towering striker is aware he hasn’t performed to the best of his capabilities this season, rattling in only seven goals in 25 Premier League appearances, but he is determined to fight for his future.
The 25-year-old went on to add “I’m the first to admit I haven’t shown my worth enough for a team like Liverpool. On the other hand, under Brendan Rodgers, I knew I would get the opportunity to show my qualities, to show that I was worth the money and that I deserved to wear the shirt of Liverpool. But now…
“In January, I didn’t want to leave. It’s my desire to succeed at Liverpool. I want to continue. At the end of the season, we will take stock.”
Up next for Liverpool is a crunch clash against high-flyers Tottenham, following the international break, and Benteke will hope he is given a chance to shoot them down.
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