The striker joined Liverpool in a big-money move in 2015 but his time at Anfield quickly turned sour
Chris Burns Senior Sports Writer
12:00, 27 Sep 2025
Jurgen Klopp didn’t use Christian Benteke much after taking over at Liverpool (Image: Getty)
Former Liverpool striker Christian Benteke has revealed he departed the Reds after being sidelined under then-manager Jurgen Klopp. The Belgian forward claimed that he refused to remain at Anfield and become a “loser”.
Benteke arrived at the Reds for £32.5 million in July 2015 from Aston Villa, having netted 49 goals across three campaigns at Villa Park.
The towering striker, now 34, joined a Liverpool squad then managed by Brendan Rodgers. Following his arrival, he declared that Liverpool was “the right club” for him, explaining that he wished to be part of the Northern Irish boss’s “project”, reports the Mirror.
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Nevertheless, Rodgers was dismissed by Liverpool barely three months later, with Klopp taking over. The German favoured Daniel Sturridge and Divok Origi in attack over Benteke, who abruptly found himself marginalised just months after becoming Liverpool’s second-largest signing in their history.
Benteke’s Anfield dream had somehow turned into a nightmare. Crystal Palace ultimately rescued the striker, securing his services for Selhurst Park in a £27m deal in August 2016.
Speaking following his move to the Eagles, Benteke frankly discussed being excluded by Klopp, though he also shared some positive recollections, addressing a wonder goal he once scored against Manchester United.
Christian Benteke lasted just one season at Liverpool (Image: Getty)
“When Klopp came in, given the players available to him, I wasn’t among his first choices,” Benteke told French outlet L’Equipe.
“Given the way he wanted to play, perhaps there were more interesting players than me. But I’m not a child: I didn’t cry, I didn’t moan, even if of course I wanted to play. It was frustrating.
“You can’t allow yourself to give up, to stay in the situation of a loser, so you try to find a solution, to be happy. I found that by coming to Crystal Palace, and I’m happy today.”
There had been red flags for Benteke during Klopp’s reign. The former Dortmund manager once insisted he “had a few words, nothing else” following his furious reaction to Benteke’s missed opportunity in Liverpool’s 3-2 loss at Southampton in March 2016.
Speaking during the latter part of that campaign, Benteke remained convinced his destiny lay at Anfield. “In January I didn’t want to leave and it’s still my desire to succeed at Liverpool,” he said, adding: “We’ll see at the end of the season.”
Reflecting on his period under Klopp, who subsequently made a light-hearted comment about the Belgian forward’s exit, Benteke revealed Klopp had previously tried to recruit him during his Dortmund days, which only added to Benteke’s bewilderment at being frozen out at Liverpool.
Benteke played for Palace from 2016-2022(Image: Getty)
“Some team-mates said that I was lucky with the arrival of Klopp because I certainly would play,” Benteke told Belgium’s Sport/Voetbalmagazine.
“When your coach says he wanted to take you to Dortmund and a little later you sit at the same club and he ignores you it is hard to understand.”
Benteke enjoyed a six-season stint at the Eagles, netting 37 goals in 117 appearances before moving to DC United in the MLS where he has scored an impressive 49 goals in 97 matches.
Liverpool and Palace meet on Saturday afternoon at Selhurst Park. The game has the added spice of the two sides being the only two unbeaten teams left in the top-flight after five games, as well as having contested the Community Shield and FA Cup finals in recent months.