Liverpool conceded to Aston Villa’s demands and agreed to meet Christian Bentekea s A?32.5million release clause.
The Anfield club was not keen on paying the release clause for the player and valued Benteke at around A?25m, but are now ready to meet it and deliver the player Rodgers has wanted from the start.
The recent reports of interest of Manchester United in the player, which many believe was only a way for Aston Villa to ensure Liverpool spend the entire sum of the player, has ensured that Liverpool do the same.
Chris Bascombe of The Telegraph reported: Liverpool will meet Christian Bentekea s A?32.5million Aston Villa exit clause as they close in on the signing of their number one summer transfer target. After weeks of negotiations with Villa a when the Merseyside club initially refused to match the stipulated asking price a there has been a change of mood at Anfield over the last 24 hours and a bid will now be submitted.
The Reds had a goalscoring crisis throughout last season and the injury of Sturridge and the other strikers not working meant Liverpool endured a disastrous season. This meant that despite buying three strikers last season – Balotelli, Lambert and Origi who went out on loan, Rodgers put the addition of a striker on top of his list. He identified Aston Villaa s Christian Benteke as the player he wanted to bring in.
Fans on Twitter were not pleased with the news of their club agreeing to make him the second most expensive player and reacted angrily.
There were the lazy comparisons with Andy Carroll
*Bangs head on desk* Benteke doesn’t fit our playing style, disappears in big games. Why are we paying A?32.5m for a black Andy Carroll? #LFC
a Ben Harris (@PanzerHarris) July 16, 2015
Brendan Rodgers can’t coach strikers like benteke, as proven by Balo, Lambert and his brief stint with Carroll
a ant rimmer (@SirAntRimmer) July 16, 2015
“Carroll was a better buy than Benteke” pic.twitter.com/IDEjf8jR0j a Markus K (@Piisam1rotta) July 16, 2015
Benteke is a good striker. On his day can be one of the hardest to play against. But a A?32.5m price tag could kill him. Just like Carroll
a Haris (@Haris_CFC316) . July 16, 2015
Benteke is a bit different but not different enough. Predict it to go the same way as Carroll, Balotelli and Lambert. Hope it doesn’t. a Paul Boyham (@PaulBoyham) July 16, 2015
Then of course, there were some who tried to prove that the player is nothing like Andy Carroll and the only similarity between the two would be their prices.
Carroll couldna t/wouldna t run in behind. Wanted crosses. Benteke more flexible. And hopefully hea ll also make our set-pieces less crap.
a Paul Tomkins (@paul_tomkins) July 16, 2015
Benteke can do a counter attack and a big man role in one player. We’re not buying andy carroll again, way more effective and will suit us.
a sean ynwa (@sean_ynwa) July 16, 2015
And then there were more angry reactions.
Benteke doesn’t suit Firmino and Coutinho’s game. When you pay A?32.5m for someone, it should be a guaranteed success, not be hoping for it.
a RobinLFC (@Robish13) July 16, 2015
Benteke bid? Time look away ?Ys
a Henderson Rabona (@jaytzo) July 16, 2015
FFS I don’t want a Benteke near the Liverpool team, not for that amount.
a Jones (@Destructhor_) July 16, 2015
