Benteke’s already on message
AMONG the numerous texts that Christian Benteke received congratulating him on a move to Liverpool, there is one in particular that sticks in his mind.
It was sent by Chelsea’s mercurial Eden Hazard, who offered his well- wishes before immediately laying down a challenge from the champions.
As an insight into the step up in standard, the expectation and pressure that swirl around Benteke following his £ 32.5million transfer from Aston Villa, the dispatch from a Belgium team- mate and friend – but someone he must now consider a rival – neatly encapsulates everything.
“He is happy for me,” said Benteke with a smile. “He said now I have a chance to win and to beat him.
“I feel we have a chance. We have a good squad. It is up to us now to show them.”
It is a sign of the times at Anfi eld that title talk is considered pie in the sky after last season’s excesses, but Benteke will still fi nd the coming months unforgiving.
A ‘ to do’ list, which currently encompasses house- hunting and acclimatising to his new surroundings, will broaden from the moment he steps out on the pitch against Stoke on Sunday. He must provide the focal point Liverpool lacked last term, justify his lofty price- tag by maintaining his ratio of a goal every two games since arriving in England, propel his new team back into the Champions League and allow a club, shorn of heroes, to dream again.
Benteke accepts the responsibility without quibble. “I believe whatever level I play at I will score goals,” said the striker. “I don’t want to be arrogant, but since I came to England I’ve proved I’m not a bad player.
“I can produce the goals, but I am not alone here. That is the good thing. I have players behind me and around me.
“It is not about money. I knew if I joined a big club I’d have some pressure, so I am ready for this challenge. I will work hard and not worry about things.
“The pressure will the best out of me.
“I am a player who came here to improve myself and to be bigger than before.”
This brings into focus how Brendan Rodgers will harness Benteke’s skills. The player is loath to
bring divulge the details of his conversations with the Liverpool manager.
But he is more open on former manager Tim Sherwood’s assertion that he will not thrive on Merseyside because they will not supply enough crosses into the penalty area to exploit his aerial strength. “I don’t believe
that and I told him,” said Benteke, 24. “I said football has changed, football now is modern and I can adapt. It is not just about crossing.
“I can score normal goals as well. I told him I am not afraid about it. If Liverpool bought me, then they know how to use me. I can show I can play with my feet too.”
Liverpool should benefi t from his presence. Not least because defenders such as Martin Skrtel, driven to distraction by Benteke in the past when he scored fi ve goals in six games in a reign of terror against Liverpool, can watch others try to tame him.
“I told them we won’t fi ght like we used to do,” said Benteke. “We will fi ght together any opponents.”
Rodgers, aware his signing must fi re, will look forward to that.