It has been reported by some that Liverpool will activate Christian Benteke's £32.5m release clause this week, and while we don't know exactly whether that is strictly true or not, it is more clear cut than ever that the big Belgian is the main name on the Reds' transfer hit-list.

All Liverpool fans will agree that they do desperately need to sign a marquee striker that can score a good chunk of goals. Danny Ings and Roberto Firmino will provide competition, but neither can really be considered as the main man at Anfield, while the futures of Rickie Lambert, Mario Balotelli and Fabio Borini remain unclear.

As filling the void left by the departure of Luis Suarez does indeed require someone that can be considered in the top range of strikers, many Kopites don't seem too convinced that Benteke fits the bill.

It is possible that Benteke may not even sign for Liverpool, however, that has not stopped many fans making their minds up on the Villa man, with there being little buzz for his possible arrival.

But why is there so much hesitation regarding the the signing of the Belgian? He is just 24-years of age, is strong and powerful, proven in the Premier League and is a real handful for defenders - a good combination for a centre-forward. Most importantly he scores goals, however, what could be considered as the problem by Reds fans is the type of player Benteke is.

He is of course a 6ft. 4" target man sort, and the worry is when you sign and play a player of that mould the temptation will be to use long balls and play direct into him.

However, under Brendan Rodgers and the style that he demands of his side such a scenario does indeed look highly unlikely, yet what Benteke will give Liverpool is a striker capable of playing in different ways. With the Belgian as skilled on the deck as is he in the air, he will offer a new dimension to the Liverpool attack.

Moreover it is often said that the best striking partnerships are those formed of two players that compliment each other rather than two similar players and there is no doubt that Benteke is no Daniel Sturridge.

So there is a real chance that the two differing styles could compliment each other well and form a very effective partnership. Those fans doubting Benteke would be hoping to sign a striker of more technical ability, a smaller more nimble player who is more a tune with Rodgers' style of play, however such a signing would leave Liverpool in a situation where there is no 'Plan B' again.

At least with the signing of Benteke Liverpool will broaden their striking options and give themselves a different route at goal.

Of course Benteke is much more than that, he is capable of scoring goals and grabbing the landmark twenty efforts that Liverpool desperately need from their strikers if they are going to challenge at the top end of the Premier League.

His goalscoring record of 49 goals in 101 outings for Villa is impressive for a player who has played in a struggling team for a few seasons now, while a return a of a goal every other game will only improve in a side that creates more chances, like Liverpool do.

There will be many doubters if Benteke signs, but the fact he has forged his reputation in a struggling Villa side, and is a regular for Belgium, shows that he is a quality player that will make a huge difference at Liverpool.

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