Striker left Anfield for Palace in the summer
Crystal Palace striker Christian Benteke has claimed he has no regrets about moving to Liverpool last summer despite a very brief stay at the club.
Benteke ended his Anfield nightmare this summer by moving to Selhurst Park for a similar fee to the £32.5million Liverpool paid Aston Villa for him 12 months ago.
“It was an honour to play for Liverpool, such a big club with such a big history,” Benteke told Sky Sports.
“I didn’t play or perform as I wanted. It was my decision to go there and I don’t regret anything.
“I didn’t have the chances to perform. I learned that’s football. That is why I have no anger against anyone there.
“[The] frustration is at myself that in the short time I had to play I didn’t do it as I wanted. Brendan [Rodgers] did everything for me to come there, then I had my injury and I couldn’t help. I wanted to do more.”
Benteke opened his Palace account with a goal in their 2-1 win at Middlesbrough, and said manager Alan Pardew sold him on the club’s style of play.
“I am very happy to be here and to have the chance to show myself again,” Benteke added. “I am really looking forward to the new challenge.
“I have been in the Premier League for four years and, without wanting to sound arrogant, have been doing well. I want to show again what I can do because last year I didn’t have the chance to do it all season.
“I knew the quality of the players here and I knew about the manager. It was an easy decision to take. In terms of style it’s a good fit.”
“I spoke with the manager (Pardew) a few times before the Euros, I gave him my word that if he did everything he could, I would do everything I could to come here.”
By Ben Kelly – @benkelly_10
