Christian Benteke’s viability at Liverpool may have been questioned by many pundits but Player of the Year Eden Hazard has no doubts.
The Belgian internationals both enjoyed impressive seasons last year, with Benteke netting 13 times to save Aston Villa from relegation. A third successive impressive season at Villa Park earned him a £32.5 million move to Anfield, but there have been some doubts raised as to whether the powerful striker can adapt to the short-passing game favoured by Brendan Rodgers.
But Chelsea winger Hazard has no such concerns over his international colleague and has backed Liverpool’s new man to bring Rodgers his first silverware.
“I am friendly with Eden and we have been in contact via text message,” Benteke said. “He was happy for me and said that now I have a chance to win and to beat him.
“And I think we do, as well. We have a good squad and it is up to us to show them.”
Liverpool failed to defeat champions Chelsea in four games last season and are winless against their London rivals since May 2012, when they hammered Roberto di Matteo’s side 4-1.
