Jürgen Klopp is determined that Liverpool will recoup their valuations for any outgoing players this summer as he insisted that Christian Benteke will not leave for less than the asking price.

The Belgium international has not made a single appearance so far in pre-season despite joining up with the squad on their tour of the United States a week-and-a-half ago.

The £32.5 million striker only moved from Aston Villa last season and despite scoring 10 goals in all competitions, has no future under Klopp.

He is currently only the Reds' fifth choice striker and despite having spoken of his desire to fight for his place on Merseyside, it is no secret that Liverpool are willing to let Benteke go.

Crystal Palace have already firmed up their interest with a bid, although £26.5 million plus add-ons wasn't enough to convince Liverpool to do business.

They are looking for a new club to meet their £30 million asking price to allow the striker to leave, with Palace having yet to improve upon their first offer.

Klopp: Benteke won't leave for less than our valuation

Benteke doesn't fit in with Klopp's style-of-play and will likely move on as a result. (Picture: Getty Images)
Benteke doesn't fit in with Klopp's style-of-play and will likely move on as a result. (Picture: Getty Images)

Speaking in a pre-match press conference ahead of a double-header against Barcelona and Mainz this weekend, Klopp insisted that if clubs want "a real striker" then they need to submit "real offers" and "not hope for anything else."

The German insisted that the club will "find solutions" for Benteke's future, adding: "If somebody wants a player from us then he has to pay because we only have good players. There are no presents."

Although the Reds' No.9 has been relegated to almost bottom of the senior pecking order under Klopp, the manager still has plenty of belief in his abilities.

He explained that Benteke is "still a great striker" but said that they "have a few more strikers at this moment" whom it makes "more sense" to "give them match time."

But Liverpool will refuse to let him go on the cheap, although minutes are undoubtedly limited at Anfield, declaring that any new club will "have to make good offers."

He admitted that some clubs "try to gamble" but insisted Liverpool "are not part of gambling" and will only consider offers if they are "serious" otherwise they will "find solutions."

Klopp, who has made seven signings already this summer, could yet make further additions with a left-back the priority and a centre-back potentially in the offing due to injuries to his other options.

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About the author
Charlie Malam
Digital Sports Writer at the Daily Express. First-class Staffordshire University Sports Journalism graduate. Formerly VAVEL UK's Liverpool FC editor and Deputy Editor-in-Chief. Contributor since June 2014.