Christian Benteke puzzled by bench role at Liverpool under Jurgen Klopp

Liverpool striker Christian Benteke isn't sure why he isn't the preferred striker up top for Jurgen Klopp's side despite joining the team for a resounding £32.5-million price tag.

The 25-year-old spoke about his reduced role as bench option at Anfield, and is puzzled by his change of fortune, with some saying he failed to adapt to Klopp's preferred style of play.

"I find it bizarre," Benteke said in response, according to the Guardian. "I do not understand why people say that. I can play pressing and moving a lot. It is not that we play in the Barcelona style."

This isn't a sudden revelation, though. Benteke explained his role had been in question from the second Klopp was hired.

"From the time Jurgen Klopp arrived, I felt it was going to be complicated for me. Even if I knew that he liked me," Benteke said, according to ESPN FC. "Some of my teammates even said to me that I was lucky to see Klopp arrive because I was practically certain to play. But in my head, and after what I experienced in my career, I said to myself that anything could happen. And I wasn't mistaken."

Benteke is particularly concerned with Klopp's sudden turnaround in favour; the Belgian striker was once praised by the former Borussia Dortmund tactician, but now is feeling less love from his gaffer.

"When a coach meets you and tells you he wants to bring you to Dortmund and then you meet him later, but it's not working, you say to yourself that not everything is always very clear," Benteke said. "Still today, he tells me that I'm a striker who can do everything ... I have variety to my game but why am I not playing then? He has his choices and I've got to respect them."