As long as he doesn't get too badly injured (and for me that is THE horrific risk) then Benteke should all but guarantee our PL status and not lose a huge amount if we sell him. (Because he's a lump who'd get about a goal in every 2.5 games).

If you take a player like Pelle as an alternative, you pay 10-15m and get zero resale because he's early 30s when his contract ends. In many respects that could make Pelle and late 20s players like him costlier acquisitions. If CB does as expected he probably keeps us up and retains an okay resale value if anyone fancies those wages. (Big if, I accept).

All the above said I wouldn't mind if we missed out.

If you want to live in a world full of kindness, respect and love, try to show these qualities.

Pelle was just sold for a profit and will be one of the top 10 earning footballers in the world, despite being 30 already (31 this week).

In fact Southampton have recouped enough to cover his transfer fee and about 90% of the wages they paid him over his contract.

But I take your point.

"It's almost like a moral decision. Except not really cos noone is going to find out," Jez, Peep Show

Benteke still on holiday, so until he returns to England then has a decision to make.

Andy Johnson Magic, He wears a Magic Hat
When he Sees the match ball, he says he having that
He scores one with left foot, he scores one with his right
And When his playing Brighton, He scores all f***ING Night!

Okay, watch this post-match analysis by Jamie Redknapp and Carragher. It's pretty good and talks about Benteke's strengths, weaknesses and how LFC were not playing to his strengths. It lasts for 4 mins of the 11.

[Link]

On 45 seconds is Benteke's goal early in the game. Carragher sums it up for me with this goal why he kept missing chances.

"The thing about that goal is it's instinct. He doesn't have to think." He goes on about his recent one on one misses where he has to too much time to think. Then, "It's really quick, it's a good finish and he proves he can finish if he doesn't have to think for too long."

It's where I think LFC and Beneteke will never fit. The interesting bit where they show the pass to Benteke they fail to make and keep going sideways. And the one-two on the halfway line and away Benteke goes, only to miss the one on one, something he finished at Villa where his confidence was higher.

COYP

Not so, returned from holiday yesterday but is not due back at Liverpool for another 10 days. Extra time off because of the Euros.

Thanks for this. Decent analysis. If we get him he'll really fit our system; we're far more direct than 'Pool. Plus the experience of grinding out results with a god-awful Villa side is definitely useful to a team like us... yes, we're better, but we really need battlers.