With the striker starting for Liverpool against Exeter City this Wednesday alongside a host of young players, could the writing be on the wall for 'Big Ben'?
Christian Benteke was one of just four senior players to feature in the 3-0 win, and despite assisting for Joao Carlos Teixeira's goal, he missed two glorious chances to get his name on the scoresheet.
With Daniel Sturridge still injured, despite conflicting reports, the Belgian forward was supposed to fill his boots and demonstrate the same form he showed at Aston Villa. However, he has experienced a difficult launch to his Anfield career and with just over four months of football left in the season, can he prove to manager Jurgen Klopp that he is deserving of his place in his side?
Premier League stats
The 25-year-old signed for Premier League club Aston Villa in 2012 and with his strong presence and real eye for goal he became a fan favourite at Villa Park.
Benteke scored 49 goals in 101 games for the Claret and Blues before leaving for Liverpool in the summer of 2015 - signing for £32.5 million and becoming the most expensive signing under Brendan Rodgers.
At Liverpool however, the striker has come under fire for his goalscoring rate, and many have lamented his work rate - prompting fears that he could be sold as early as this summer.
With just seven goals in 26 appearances the misfiring forward certainly has his work cut out for him if he is to forge a career at Anfield, and with rumours ciculating of moves for Alex Teixeira and Shane Long, along with other attackers, it could be that Klopp just does not think his style mixes well with his own.
The striker is becoming known for coming off the bench to help his side in recent weeks, grabbing an assist for Joe Allen's equaliser against Arsenal, and will have to establish his ability futher to convince the L4 faithful not to give up on him.
Klopp comments
Jurgen Klopp's press conference on Tuesday should have offered hope to the striker, as his manager backed his talents and implied he does have a future with Liverpool.
Despite starting just two of his sides last six league matches, the German publicly defended Benteke but suggested he would have to wait until he can adopt a fomation suited to his strengths.
Klopp was asked why he has opted not to use the player several times this season and he said he prefers to have the "influence" of the Belgian to create an impact on a game when required.
The manager also revealed how Benteke was one of his transfer targets while he was at Borussia Dortmund, as he praised his "technical skills" and "heading" and said the combination of these talents make him "the complete striker."
Benteke should take much of these comments with a pinch of salt, as managers are often known to defend their players in order to deflect media criticism, so despite the seal of approval Klopp has given his forward unless his form returns soon his Liverpool career is stll very much in Jeopardy.
Obstacles
Under the reign of Brendan Rodgers it seemed as if Benteke was free to express his talents without consequences but managers have changed and Klopp has opted to use other players ahead othe striker which has stalled his path to first team football.
Roberto Firmino, a £29 million signing from Bundesliga side Hoffenheim, struggled in his opening few months at the club but is now close to hitting top form under his new manager after being deployed as a 'false nine'.
The Brazilian was seen as one of the top talents in Bundesliga and is now beginning to show his ability in the Premier League with top performances against strong sides Manchester United and Arsenal. As a result of these performances, the 24-year-old sits above Benteke in the pecking order despite not being a regular player in that position.
Liverpool have recently been linked with a move for Southampton player Shane Long, prompting even more concern over the future of the Belgian, despite no confirmation from both clubs the deal was rumoured to have been rejected as Ronald Koeman's valuation of the 29-year-old was rumoured to be much higher.
It seems Benteke is now stuck between a rock and a hardplace as any move he makes away from Liverpool will likely be a lower club as Manchester City, United, Arsenal and even Chelsea have superior players and with even a cut price fee his value should still be considerably high despite a stop-start six months at Anfield.