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West Ham confirm Benteke interest, as LFC star queries lack of playing time

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The Liverpool striker is attracting West Ham's interest and, after his latest quotes, may be keen on a move

The Liverpool striker is attracting West Ham’s interest and, after his latest quotes, may be keen on a move

It all just seems to lurch from bad to worse as the weeks go by for Christian Benteke, who was brought in for £32.5 million in the summer and promised to push Liverpool’s forward line to another level alongside Daniel Sturridge.

The reality, of course, has been much different. And while many may point to the change of manager (a man who clearly doesn’t see Benteke as fitting in to his system), in truth, Brendan Rodgers didn’t seem to know what to do with the big striker either.

Following his latest setback at the weekend, Benteke came in for some very verbal criticism from his manager after missing a great opportunity to put the game to bed, before the comeback that consigned the Reds to defeat.

And now it seems that West Ham are keen to take another of Liverpool’s expensive flops off their hands in the summer, after previously signing Andy Carroll who failed to live up to expectations.

But while the Londoners are apparently interested in the striker, it seems his huge wages could be a stumbling block, with West Ham chairman David Sullivan (via the Daily Mirror) saying: “The problem is he is on such a huge wage that no club can afford him. But he is a player that we admire.”

There have been moves mooted for the forward in recent weeks, with suggestions Liverpool may have to subsidise any move by paying part of the player’s wages and Sullivan’s comments would appear to confirm this.

However, considering what he’s had to say today, you have to wonder whether Benteke would take a pay cut. He did not sound happy when he apparently told Sport/Voetbalmagazine: “Some teammates told me I was lucky when Klopp signed because I would be certain to play. But with all the things I’ve experienced throughout my career, I knew it could go fast. I wasn’t wrong.

“He still tells me that I’m a striker who can do everything – score goals, hold-up the ball, play one-twos, heading.

“If I have that many variations in my game, why don’t I play? But, he makes the choices and I have to respect them.”

The 25 year old forward also disagreed with the criticism from fans that he doesn’t suit Klopp’s system or work hard enough for the team. He continued: “I don’t understand why people stay that. I can press, I can move. It’s not like we are playing the Barcelona way.”

Benteke will undoubtedly irk a lot of fans with his words, and many will twist what he’s had to say as an attack on Klopp. But, essentially, it is just the frustration of a talented centre forward who is struggling to fit into Liverpool’s newly preferred style, coupled with a severe lack of form.

Do you agree with Benteke that he should be given more game time, or should a deal be struck with West Ham to move the player out of the club? Let us know your thoughts on the striker.

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I'm a 32 year old Liverpool fan, living in the heart of the City Centre. I've supported the club since the day I was born and have been writing articles for L4L for over 3 years, writing close over 350 articles in that time. My favorite player of the past generation is Sami Hyypia.

I am the current editor for L4L, with my day job being in R&D for the NHS.