Liverpool defender Kolo Toure believes that the imminent arrival of Christian Benteke from Aston Villa will transform the Reds into Premier League title contenders, report the Echo.
The source states that Benteke is set to complete his move to Merseyside on Wednesday, with the Reds having met the player’s £32.5m buyout clause last week.
Benteke will join fellow new signings James Milner, Danny Ings, Adam Bogdan, Joe Gomez, Roberto Firmino and Nathaniel Clyne at Anfield and should complete Brendan Rodgers’ new-look side.
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Five of those players have been involved on our pre-season tour, with Milner and Ings both scoring in Monday’s 2-0 win over Adelaide United – our third successive victory in the Far East.
Toure has told the Echo that he’s hugely excited about the prospect of working with his new teammates, while he feels that the addition of Benteke – who scored 15 goals in all competitions last season – will complete our transformation into a side capable of challenging for major honours.
“Benteke is a great player,” he said. “It’s much better to have him on my side than have to play against him. He’s so strong and powerful – we all know about his qualities.
“He’s a goalscorer but his mental strength is very important. I’ve played against some good strikers who are mentally weak. Benteke isn’t weak, he stands up for himself. No matter what happens on he pitch, he will perform.
“The club has done some unbelievable business this summer and it’s going to be a big season for us. I see so much talent in this squad. So much will be played in the mind. If we are strong mentally then I don’t think anyone can beat us with the team the manager has built.”