Christian Benteke, who was forced to leave Anfield in summer, has said he has no regrets over joining Liverpool in 2015 notwithstanding his brief stay.
The new Crystal Palace striker had joined from Aston Villa, however injuries and lack of fitting into new coach Jurgen Klopp’s system, saw him start only 14 Premier League games in his one year at Liverpool. Obviously that was humiliating for a player of his calibre. So he left.
Benteke opened his Palace account with a goal in their 2-1 win at Middlesbrough and later insisted he harbours no ill-feeling towards his former club.
“It was an honour to play for Liverpool, such a big club with such a big history,” Benteke told Sky Sports.
“I didn’t play or perform as I wanted. It was my decision to go there and I don’t regret anything.
“I didn’t have the chances to perform. I learned that’s football. That is why I have no anger against anyone there.
“Frustration is at myself that in the short time I had to play I didn’t do it as I wanted. Brendan Rodgers did everything for me to come there, then I had my injury and I couldn’t help. I wanted to do more.”
On his new start with Crystal Palace he said:
“I am very happy to be here and to have the chance to show myself again,” Benteke added. “I am really looking forward to the new challenge.
“I have been in the Premier League for four years and, without wanting to sound arrogant, have been doing well. I want to show again what I can do because last year I didn’t have the chance to do it all season.
“I knew the quality of the players here and I knew about the manager. It was an easy decision to take. In terms of style it’s a good fit.”
“I spoke with the manager (Pardew) a few times before the Euros, I gave him my word that if he did everything he could, I would do everything I could to come here.”
Benteke is one of the best strikers in the Premier League and possibly the best in the air at the moment.
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