Jurgen Klopp claims Christian Benteke does have long-term future at Liverpool

Jurgen Klopp doesn't plan on abandoning Liverpool's reported £32.5-million signing.

On Tuesday, speaking ahead of Liverpool's FA Cup replay versus Exeter City, Klopp spoke only about his treatment of Christian Benteke, who featured as a substitute in the Reds' Premier League fixtures against Manchester United and Arsenal, as well as in their victories at Chelsea and Manchester City in which the German manager opted to start Roberto Firmino.

Upon being asked if Benteke featured in his long-term plans, Klopp replied, according to the Guardian: "You are too quick in your judgements. If I worked like this I would send players who miss chances to the next club or whatever. Stay cool. Of course he has a future, that is not a question.

"What we have to do is think what team fits together for the special game. For the next game it could be different. We have to think about how we create chances. First of all we cannot hope that we get the ball into the box and then maybe Christian will finish it. He is a goalscorer and makes chances and so on, that is all good, but this is how it works - we make a starting lineup and it ends at 11, then we make the bench. He has always the possibility to play."

Klopp also explained his belief that Benteke can play alongside Firmino.

"In this situation you have to look at how it fits. For example, we had our games with Roberto and Christian as a No. 10 and a No. 9. It did not work in this moment but that does not mean we can never play like this," he said.

Through 19 Premier League appearances this season, Benteke has tallied six goals and assists while averaging 2.4 shots per game and 1.2 key passes per game.