“I think he’ll prove to be a bargain for the club, I really do”, the Liverpool manager said.
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Rodgers has hit back at the critics and stated that Benteke is the flawless acquisition for Liverpool and that his price tag will prove to be a bargain in the long run.
Apart from his rental empire, Mr Rodgers is said to still own a sizeable home in Bershshire, and his property portfolio was reported to stretch from South Shields to Reading. I’ve seen him up close now for three years, stood at the side of the field and watching this guy – not just his power and strength, but also his footballing ability.
The 19-year-old versatile winger returned to Anfield after an impressive spell at Pride Park, where he scored five goals in 24 appearances.
Rodgers added: “This isn’t someone who lacks pace, movement and intelligence”. But for us, the last game of pre-season is always about trying to get a strong game and that hopefully allows you to take that final preparation game into your first game of the season. However, new arrivals Nathaniel Clyne, Joe Gomez, Danny Ings, James Milner and Divock Origi will all feature in Finland, with the promising 18-year-old Spanish midfielder Pedro Chirivella also on Friday’s flight.
Rodgers has made it clear that he intends to use Ibe more extensively this season, telling the club’s official website: “It’s year-on-year improvement”.
“You see how exciting he is, but he still has a lot of potential and work to do”.
“We know coming to here, it will be a very good opponent and gives us a chance to be tested to the maximum”.
Liverpool’s misfiring striker Mario Balotelli has been left out of the club’s travelling squad to Finland where they will face Finnish Champions HJK Helsinki on the 1 of August.
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“We mustn’t forget he’s still only 19”.
