Klopp: Benteke has Liverpool future

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has backed Christian Benteke and insists the under-fire striker does have a future at the club.

The Belgium international has found himself out of the Reds' starting XI in recent weeks, despite being the club's top scorer this season with seven goals.

Much has been made about his suitability, or lack there of, to Klopp's playing style, but the German is adamant there is a future for Benteke at Anfield.

"He needs to stay cool - of course he has a future here," Klopp said in his pre-match press conference ahead of Wednesday's FA Cup third-round replay against Exeter.

"We don't score enough goals, so I understand why you ask about the striker - in your mind the only striker we have. He is on the bench and that seems to be strange, but not in my opinion.

"We have to think about how we create chances. First of all we cannot hope that we can get the ball into the box and then maybe Christian will finish it.

"He always has the possibility to play, but you have to look how it fits. For example we had games with Roberto [Firmino] and Christian at number 10 and number nine. It did not work but that does not mean we can never play like this.

"To have Christian on the bench is a quality sign."