Benteke would be great for Chelsea, says Carragher

Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher, in a column for the Mail, has voiced his concerns about whether new signing Christian Benteke will suit the Reds’ style of play.

After much speculation from Reds supporters over the past few weeks (maybe even months), 24 year-old Belgian striker Benteke finally signed for Liverpool on Wednesday after his £32.5m buyout clause was activated.

The former Genk forward, who scored 13 goals last term for Aston Villa, will be joining the likes of new signings Danny Ings and international teammate Divock Origi up top.

However Carragher, the man with the second most appearances for the Anfield club, does not believe the former Genk hitman will fit Liverpool’s style of play and that he would be better suited to Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea.

He said: “The hope at Liverpool is that surrounding him with better players will see him become even more devastating and consistent.

“I like him as a striker and actually think he would be great for Chelsea. Jose Mourinho likes that profile of forward and sets his teams up to get the best out of them.”

“My worry at Liverpool is, will he be suited to the short, sharp and incisive passing game that Rodgers favours?”

Big target forwards have not seemed to fit in at Liverpool in the recent years, with Andy Carroll being loaned out to West Ham United shortly after Brendan Rodgers’ arrival in 2012 before deciding to stay at Upton Park on a permanent basis.

There is also Rickie Lambert, one of Liverpool’s summer signings last year, who scored just three goals in 36 appearances last season for the Reds and is seemingly on his way out of Anfield with West Bromwich Albion leading the race.

Although it remains to be seen how Benteke will fit in at Merseyside, Rodgers was reportedly instrumental in forcing through the move so it’s likely that the Ulsterman will play to the Belgian’s strengths or otherwise will help him adapt to the Liverpool way.

Either way, Benteke is an exciting prospect who will have Kopites all over clamouring for his Liverpool debut.