Benteke’s former mentor makes promise to Liverpool fans

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It seems like it’ll be only a matter of time before Liverpool unveil Christian Benteke as a £32.5m signing (via Daily Mail), and the man that brought him to England is convinced he’ll be a big Anfield hit.

Paul Lambert signed the Belgian striker from Genk in 2012, and in that time he’s notched 42 goals in 88 Aston Villa appearances.

“I think he is going to do great,” said Lambert in an interview with Sky Sports, cited here in the Echo.

“Christian phoned me yesterday and I had a good chat with him. I am delighted for him, he has got a move to a really big, big club.”

Many Liverpool fans are concerned though that Benteke’s attributes don’t directly suit our regular style, as we don’t deliver many balls into the box.

The forward prides himself on his strength and aerial ability, but Lambert sees the forward as far more than an old-fashioned target-man – capable of joining up with play with his feet, too.

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“I hear reports that he can only score from cross balls. Well, Christian Benteke will score for Liverpool,” Lambert continued.

“The chances they create, he will score and, as Christian said, he is very good with his feet. I knew that anyway from signing him and I think he will be a terrific signing.

“He will score all types of goals. If you look at the way he plays, especially his first year at Aston Villa, where he was a phenomenon.

“He was third behind (Cristiano) Ronaldo and (Lionel) Messi in goalscoring ratio. I think he is one of the best No 9s I have seen in a long time.”

Benteke did thrive under during Lambert’s agricultural footballing philosophy, but importantly, he also scored goals under Tim Sherwood, who mostly played counter-attacking football at the back end of last term.

Judging on pre-season, Liverpool will use a 4-3-3 this term, with quick, technical players on the flanks – and Benteke leading the line.

Let’s hope the 24-year-old can hit the ground running and prove the doubters wrong.

 

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