Liverpool’s signing of Christian Benteke for £32.5 million in 2015 can be considered one of the club’s worst under Fenway Sports Group. Aston Villa, Benteke’s former team, was shocked at the exorbitant fee Liverpool was willing to pay for the striker.
Benteke’s arrival at Liverpool coincided with a period of decline under then-manager Brendan Rodgers. He became a symbol of this decline, even though it was not his fault. The Belgian international was the second-most expensive signing in Liverpool’s history at the time, joining the list of costly failures that included Andy Carroll.
It was widely believed that Benteke was a signing favored by Rodgers, while Liverpool’s transfer committee secured the deal for Roberto Firmino. When Jurgen Klopp took over as manager, it was evident that Benteke’s fate was sealed.
Tim Sherwood, Villa’s manager at the time, spoke about the club’s shock at Liverpool’s willingness to pay such a high price for Benteke during an interview with the Undr the Cosh podcast. Sherwood jokingly tried to dissuade Rodgers from signing the striker, emphasizing his perceived shortcomings. However, when he learned that Liverpool intended to activate Benteke’s buyout clause, Sherwood informed Villa’s chairman, who couldn’t believe that anyone would pay that much for the player.
During his one season at Liverpool, Benteke made 42 appearances, with 36 of those coming under Klopp. He managed to score 10 goals and provide six assists. However, with Firmino excelling in the unique No. 9 role, Benteke was deemed surplus to requirements and was subsequently sold to Crystal Palace for up to £32 million.
Benteke admitted after his move to Palace that he did not suit Klopp’s style of play. He believed that things might have turned out differently if he had played under a different coach. Benteke acknowledged that he struggled mentally, feeling like he was fighting a losing battle. Despite this, he took responsibility for his performances and admitted that he could have done better in the limited minutes he received.
Currently, Benteke is the captain of DC United in Major League Soccer (MLS). At 33 years old, he has been in impressive form, scoring 11 goals and providing one assist in 10 games this season. His recent hat-trick in a 3-2 victory over Atlanta United showcased his continued goal-scoring prowess.
Overall, Benteke’s time at Liverpool can be seen as a disappointment, considering the high expectations that accompanied his arrival. However, his subsequent success at Crystal Palace and his current form in MLS demonstrate that he still possesses the ability to be a valuable asset to a team.