Christian Benteke ‘doesn’t fit’ at Liverpool and must leave in the summer, claims Micky Quinn
Liverpool striker Christian Benteke does not fit with Jurgen Klopp’s brand of football and must leave the club in the summer, according to Micky Quinn.
Benteke has cut a frustrated figure at Anfield since his £32.5million switch from Aston Villa last summer.
The 25-year-old has struggled for regular playing time and goals in his debut Reds season, starting just 12 Premier League games and scoring seven times in all competitions.
Fans believe Benteke's time at the club is up after Klopp left the Belgium international on the bench as Liverpool lost the League Cup final to Manchester City on Sunday.
And Quinn agrees, claiming Benteke is one of many expensive mistakes who should leave Anfield in an end-of-season clear out.
Speaking as co-host on Monday’s Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast, the Merseyside-born former striker said: “Benteke’s gone. I don’t like to say it, but I’m afraid he’s gone.
“He just doesn’t fit in with Klopp’s mentality of that versatile front three, where they’re closing people down, running into the channels and getting back to defend as well - a mobile front three. He just doesn’t fit into Klopp’s brand of football.
“I really think he’ll be gone in the summer, unless he wants to work with him over pre-season to get him onto that mentality. But I don’t think so, I think he’ll be gone.
"On numerous occasions, when Benteke and Origi have been on the bench, Klopp has turned to Origi. You get that with managers. Some, when they come into clubs, fancy some players and don’t fancy others."
Following Sunday's final defeat, the Europa League is Klopp's last chance of ending his first term in charge with silverware.
Few expected instant results following the German's appointment, but Quinn beleives next season could be a successful one if the manager can overhaul the team over the summer.
He added: “I think they’ll be a few gone at Liverpool, I think there could be a clear out.
“I think Mignolet will go. They need to buy a new keeper, they need a new left-back and I think Lucas will go, too. Lucas has been a great pro there, but is he going to win you the league? That’s what you’ve got to think if you’re Jurgen Klopp.
“Some of the midfield players, too. Lallana hasn’t done it this season and he cost a fortune, Joe Allen and James Milner could even go.
“I think you’ve got to look forward and you’ve got to look big.
"[Malaga defensive midfielder Ignacio] Camacho, [PSG playmaker] Lucas Moura, [Borussia Monchengladbach star] Granit Xhaka, these are all players on the hit list and if he gets them it’ll be an exciting season for Liverpool next year.”