Christian Benteke headlines group Jurgen Klopp has advised to leave

Posted Tuesday, July 19, 2016 by Foxsports.com

According to The Mirror, the Liverpool boss perceives last season's glamour recruit, Christian Benteke, as fifth choice striker now that Sadio Mane has arrived at Anfield, while he has also warned others that they might as well look elsewhere if they want to play.

In addition to the Belgian striker, Lucas, Adam Bogdan, Tiago Ilori, Mario Balotelli and Lazar Markovic reportedly top a group of players that Klopp has also suggested should leave, as he won't be looking to repeat his use of 39 players again as he did last term.

Crystal Palace offered ￡25million for Benteke, but both clubs couldn't settle on the fee.

Also, given the German's penchant for blooding youth players, that squad fringe won't be required this term.

"A few things will happen, I'm pretty sure," said the German. "I don't know exactly what but on both sides.

"It makes no sense to stay in the squad and be in the squad when you don't have a real opportunity to play.

"When there's no chance to play, it makes absolutely no sense.

"We have a few players, maybe, who want to leave us and I'm pretty sure that will happen. And one or two more players will join us from other clubs.

"It's a long time until the 31st of August and we have to work a little bit."

Christian Benteke headlines group Jurgen Klopp has advised to leave

Klopp will have all of his main cavalry return over the next 10 days, as his Euro 2016 contingent, like Joe Allen, Emre Can, Daniel Sturridge and captain Jordan Henderson, return.

Fringe players, like Australian Brad Smith, or 16-year-old Ben Woodburn, also have cause to be optimistic.

Klopp said: "It's the proof of the good work of the youth department, of the academy of LFC. I need to be blind not to see the talent of these boys -- I have nothing to do with their qualities. I would like to say I have had a big influence on them, but it's not true.

"My biggest skill is I am patient, so I can wait and we will wait until these guys are really ready. It's about timing, but they are in a good way and we will never forget them -- that's for sure.

"I really like these stories. The problem is that you [the reporters] write too much about them. You have enough time, they are young enough. You can write about them when they are 18, 19.

"We are something like their family and we will really keep an eye on them. But it's not important who will join us in America. If we have the situation and if they learn, if they listen and stay concentrated and disciplined then they have a bright future -- that's for sure.

"But between now and the bright future, there's a lot of work. Let's start with the work and not with the news."