Benteke is set to undergo his medical at Melwood on Monday after Liverpool triggered the £32.5million release clause in his Aston Villa contract.
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Former Liverpool goalkeeper David James told the Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast Show for talkSPORT that he’s surprised by the club’s imminent move for Aston Villa striker Christian Benteke.
Chief executive Ian Ayre, in Australia with the Reds’ first-team squad for the second leg of the club’s pre-season tour, is believed to have formally submitted their offer.
Rickie Lambert’s future might still depend on whether Liverpool are able to offload Mario Balotelli and Fabio Borini in this transfer window, especially with Daniel Sturridge out till October with his hip injury.
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Danny Ings insists he is happy Liverpool are signing Christian Benteke despite the added competition for places up front at Anfield.
Whilst Reds fans have seemingly taken to his style and overall work rate in recent years, Slovakia worldwide, Martin Skrtel, ultimately isn’t quite at the level Liverpool require if they really want to solidify themselves as worthy Champions League representatives.
Benteke’s arrival will represent Liverpool’s first large outlay since the £49m departure of Raheem Sterling to Manchester City. He has double figures in all three seasons at Villa Park – including the 13 scored last campaign, despite missing nine games due to a ruptured achilles. He has won the league and he will bring something different. He has a proven Premier League goalscoring record.
He will be aware that if his transfers, made with the aid of the club’s transfer committee, fail again he may not be in position to defend himself at an end of season inquiry.
The encouraging performances of Gomez in the warm-up games has also convinced the club the youngster will be competing for a position in defence immediately. The Belgian has been the manager’s No 1 striking target all summer and having got him, Rodgers is confident the final element of his new-look team is in position. Liverpool have been thrusted into bidding for the Aston Villa striker after concerns grew that Manchester United were interested, rumours that have since been dismissed as false.
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The repeated deadpan response and meaningful stare from Rodgers prompted an awkward silence before the clearly startled journalist steered the interview back into calmer waters.
