When will Christian Benteke come good for Liverpool?

Let’s face it – although much was expected of Christian Benteke and his potentially profitable relationship in front of the Anfield faithful this season – the 25-year-old Belgian international hasn’t exactly thrived down on Merseyside in 2015/16, despite setting his current employers back close to £32 million before the close of the summer transfer window.

 

Liverpool’s recently acquired centre-forward has admittedly suffered with a range of testing injury concerns throughout the 2015/16 campaign thus far, but as Jurgen Klopp is yet to see the best of the former Aston Villa striker in Reds colours, Christian Benteke seemingly has a great deal of work to do before he can justifiably satisfy his newfound fan-base.

 

Whilst fortunes could easily change for the struggling Liverpool striker somewhat dramatically in the not too distant future – does Christian Benteke simply represent yet another massive waste of resources for the once dominant Premier League club, or is it only a matter of time before this £32 million man eventually comes good for Jurgen Klopp’s side?

 

Well, even though Liverpool fans have certainly witnessed their fair share of ill-fated striking acquisitions in recent seasons…

 

No matter how poor and anonymous Benteke is, i will NEVER choose Balotelli over him. The stress i endured watching Mario was unbearable.

— — (@Elliotbloom2000) February 16, 2016

 

…Christian Benteke isn’t the most popular figure in and around Anfield at the moment…

 

So happy that Jurgen Klopp isn't tiptoeing around how awful Christian Benteke is. Keep him on the bench, sell him in the summer. #LFC

— Jack Lusby (@jacklusby_) February 18, 2016

 

The former Villa Park favourite has been criticised from all angles this term…

 

Benteke movement is so so poor. Never makes a run

— Dale Williams (@DaleWilliams95) February 14, 2016

 

Some have nonetheless taken a somewhat sympathetic view towards Benteke and his current plight among Jurgen Klopp’s side…

 

Poor Benteke the Scapegoat, the whole team is average with the worst Captain in the league.

— Tommy Parle (@kmathiesond) February 9, 2016

 

…but the long term consequences don’t look good for the 25-year-old if his situation doesn’t show any signs of improvement…

 

Players who Klopp may chop if they carry on with average performances:

Henderson, Lallana, Ibe (harsh but true), Benteke, maybe Milner.

— LFC Live News (@LFC_NEW5) February 18, 2016

 

Perhaps there is a deeper issue surrounding Benteke and his current lack of form in front of goal however…

 

Funny how the comments often levelled at Benteke are levelled at Lukaku. Something to do with that type of forward?

— Anthony Murray (@MurrayAntiran10) February 20, 2016

 

…Aston Villa could certainly do with his services right in the here and now of course…

 

Delph and benteke would have been class in the championship??

— Matty (@Bacxna) February 20, 2016

 

…and as the Reds front-man hasn’t been the only high profile figure to fail to set the Premier League alight this season…

 

Can't believe I backed Benteke Rooney and Depay to be top scorers in the premiership this season. ?

— Michael Noble (@MichaelNoble1) February 20, 2016

 

…maybe now is no time to permanently lose faith in the striker, this is a player who surely knows what it takes to score goals within the English game after all…