Liverpool striker Christian Benteke says he will have to consider his future if he does not fit into Jurgen Klopp’s plans for next season.
The Belgium international scored 10 goals last season, the fourth best at the club, having slipped down the pecking order when the German replaced Brendan Rodgers – the man who signed Benteke for £32.5million last summer.
From mid-October, when Klopp took over, Benteke started just 13 of 52 matches and was used sparingly as a substitute having fallen behind compatriot Divock Origi.
The striker has often stressed his desire to remain at the club, saying at one point he will fight like a warrior to save his Anfield career , but accepts if that pattern is likely to continue next season then he may have think about options elsewhere.
“At 25 years old, I’m neither old nor young but it’s important to play,” he said at a Belgium press conference ahead of Euro 2016.
“I still have a contract at Liverpool and I’d like to stay there, if I remain in the coach’s plans.
“If that’s not the case, it will become difficult to stay. I’ll think about if after the Euros.
“I was prepared for what I went through (last season). I knew that if I had mixed performances I would be criticised. That’s what happened.
“When he (Klopp) arrived I saw that I wasn’t in his plans. That was frustrating because I knew that during my first season at Aston Villa he wanted me.
“But we had several discussions together – I respect and I understand his decisions.”
The player has been mentioned as a target for West Ham , while some reckon he could be a target for Everton if they lose his Belgium team-mate Romelu Lukaku.
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