Jurgen Klopp responds to Chelsea's January pursuit of Liverpool star



Jurgen Klopp plays down Chelsea's interest in Christian Benteke



 

JURGEN KLOPP has played down speculation linking Chelsea with a move for Liverpool striker Christian Benteke.

 

The Belgium international was dropped to the bench for today's 3-0 defeat at Watford, adding fuel to the rumours that he could be on his way out of Anfield.

Guus Hiddink, who has taken the reigns at Chelsea until the end of the season, has reportedly set his sights on the 25-year-old as he looks to add new life to his front line.

 

But Klopp has poured cold water on the link and has conceded that he perhaps made the wrong call by not starting Benteke at Vicarage Road.

"If there is the same probability in that (story) as all the other transfer rumours since I have been here, then I am pretty cool," Klopp said after the defeat at Vicarage Road.

 

Christian Benteke came off the bench against Watford

 

"Maybe it was not the best decision (to start him on the bench), I don't know. Today I decided not to start with Christian. It is up to the player to change this."

Benteke joined Liverpool in the summer after the club activated his £32.5million release clause at Aston Villa, but has so far struggled through injury.