“Chistian Benteke and Mario Balotelli are two very good forwards”, this is what Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp stated in the press conference ahead of Premier League debut against Arsenal.
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Widespread reports over the summer have indicated both strikers are surplus to requirements at Anfield and are set to leave the club before the end of the transfer window but so far nobody has met the valuation of either player.
The Reds are keen to make back the £32.5million they spent to sign Benteke from Villa last summer, but the Baggies’ current club-record signing is Salomon Rondon at £12m.
Klopp quickly preferred other options to Benteke when he took over as Liverpool manager in October, even at points deciding to play without a recognised striker instead of the Belgian.
“Who thinks that Liverpool will give them away because we have manu strikers does a mistake”. “We will 100% not do this”, Klopp was quoted as saying by Sky Sports.
“Until 31st August I can change my mind if I want each second”.
“Benteke is a player we are interested in”. It’s one part of the performance but not more. It’s not about the names, it’s all about the performance on the pitch.
Klopp explained. “Thank God with Mili (James Milner) it’s not too serious”. “When we saw him walking out the stadium last Saturday on crutches we were anxious – Milly on crutches is not something you can put together”. We could test it today, or tomorrow, but we have to wait a little bit. It is possible he could be involved at the weekend. We have to see.
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The report mentioned that there are a “number of clubs to show interest in the striker ahead of the new season”, but it remains to be seen whether Klopp is ready to sell the Belgium global.
