“An experience I will never forget” – Christian Benteke following Crystal Palace move

Christian Benteke has thanked Liverpool supporters after making the £32 million move to Crystal Palace on Saturday.

The hulking Belgian left Merseyside for south London in a deal worth an initial £27 million this summer, with Liverpool receiving a potential £5 million in add-ons in the future.

This marks the end of a disappointing spell with the Reds, after Benteke failed to adjust the tactical demands of Jurgen Klopp.

Klopp arrived months after Benteke’s signing, with the striker becoming the most high-profile casualty in the manager’s first summer transfer window.

Despite this, and the poor reception he was given by supporters in the final months of his Liverpool career, Benteke took to Instagram on Saturday to express his gratitude.

“I would like to thank all the amazing supporters that have been there for me even in the hard moments during the season,” he wrote.

“It was a pleasure playing for such an amazing club as Liverpool FC.

“It’s an experience I will never forget. #YWNA.”

Benteke Instagram 2

Benteke’s humility is the quality of a true professional, and Palace have certainly signed a player capable of matching their lofty ambitions in the Premier League.

But his time with Liverpool was seemingly doomed from the start, with a change of scenery required.

In a further post on his Instagram page, Benteke said “New chapter. New beginning. New family.”

He will be lauded as a key player at Selhurst Park, with Alan Pardew set to build a new-look attacking line around the former Aston Villa star.

With the signing of Andros Townsend and the departure of Yannick Bolasie, Palace will be a much-changed outfit in 2016/17, likely boasting a more direct style of forward play.

Benteke will be able to test his credentials against the Reds on October 29, when Klopp’s side take to south London for their evening kickoff.

The German will be hoping Benteke won’t come back to haunt him as he pushes for a strong campaign on Merseyside.



More from This Is Anfield

Fan Comments