Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers engaged in a contentious battle with Fenway Sports Group (FSG) over the signing of striker Christian Benteke, whose transfer turned out to be a disappointment for the club. As reported, the Northern Irishman pushed for Benteke, a move that was met with significant resistance from Liverpool’s director of research, Ian Graham, who reportedly urged the owners to reconsider the decision.
Rodgers had previously led Liverpool to a near Premier League title in 2014, but his tenure ended tumultuously after he secured the signing of Benteke from Aston Villa for a hefty fee of £32.5 million. The agreement included a stipulation that if Benteke were to join, Rodgers would not oppose the arrival of Roberto Firmino for £29 million. The two players’ careers at Anfield could not have been more different; while Firmino became integral to the club’s success under manager Jürgen Klopp, Benteke struggled to find his footing.
Graham expressed his concerns over the signing, stating, “Benteke was the epitome of that kind of misunderstanding of style. In the right system, he can be effective, but Liverpool didn’t play that system.” This sentiment underscores a broader issue at the club regarding player compatibility with tactical frameworks.
The signing saga unfolded over several years. According to Graham, the club’s management had to ward off Rodgers’s persistent attempts to bring Benteke to Liverpool for three consecutive summers. “When I said I begged Fenway not to sanction the signing, one of the reasons was that in summer 2014, Brendan wanted Benteke, and we convinced Fenway he shouldn’t come,” Graham noted.
Benteke’s arrival in 2015 did not meet expectations. He scored only 10 goals in 42 appearances during his time with Liverpool, leading to a subsequent transfer to Crystal Palace at a reduced price. In stark contrast, Firmino flourished, playing a key role in Liverpool’s triumphs in both the Champions League and Premier League.
Graham also revealed his preference for Romelu Lukaku over Benteke, citing Lukaku’s mobility as an essential factor. “Brendan was convinced Benteke was just a superior player to Lukaku,” Graham remarked. Additionally, he reminisced about a missed opportunity to sign Diego Costa before the striker moved to Chelsea, suggesting that a partnership between Costa and Luis Suárez could have transformed Liverpool’s attacking lineup.
Currently, Benteke remains a free agent after leaving DC United, where he enjoyed a successful stint, winning the Golden Boot in 2024 with 23 goals in 30 matches. As Liverpool reflects on its past transfer decisions, the contrasting careers of Benteke and Firmino serve as a reminder of the importance of aligning player acquisitions with the club’s tactical vision.
