Arsenal FC legend Thierry Henry has paid the ultimate tribute to new Liverpool FC signing Christian Benteke by stating that he would have liked to play alongside the Belgian.
for a fee of A?32.5m, with A?16m paid upfront and rest in add ons.
There is a worry among the Liverpool FC fans that the player may not fit in the style of play that the club plays under Brendan Rodgers.
I would have liked to play with him Benteke: Henry
Henry, who scored a club record 228 goals for Arsenal in 376 appearances en route to winning two Premier League titles and three FA Cups with the Gunners, stated that he would have liked to play with the big Belgian.
As quoted saying by Liverpool Echo, Henry said: a He is a player that, right now when I look at the league, I would have liked to play with him.a
a I think if he has an amazing season, Liverpool will be in the top four. It is a lot of pressure but thata s why they have paid the big money for him.”
a I think if he does have a big season, one of those seasons where everything you touch goes in, he will be very important.”
Henry went onto state that he believes his own attributes would have complemented those of the new Liverpool FC forward: a When someone asks me a question like that [who would you most like to play with] I think straight away, a Can I play with him? Can he play with me?
a I could have played with Benteke because I could have played off him. He can hold up the ball then I could have wandered around him. He takes all the knocks and kicks and Ia m on the side.”
Liverpool FC fans will take some heart from the comments of Henry. Surely, if he reckons that Benteke could have complimented him, Sturridge, who has a similar style of play would do, too.
Benteke won the most aerial duels in the Premier League and 4 off his 13 goals were headers. The big Belgian gives a new dimension to the Liverpool FC attack and can occupy the defenders to allow the likes of Coutinho, Sturridge, Firmino to do the damage.
What is pivotal is that Benteke adapts to the style of play at Anfield and does not turn out to be like Andy Carroll. Although unlike Carroll, Benteke is much better on the ball.