When Liverpool unloaded £32.5m on the signing of Christian Benteke back in July of 2015, it raised some eyebrows despite the Belgian having impressed in the Premier League alight for Aston Villa.

It was, at the time, a large sum of money, but he had just scored 13 goals in 29 league appearances so it made some sense.

There were some reservations about whether he would be able to adapt to the style of play that the Reds wanted, but at the time former Liverpool striker John Aldridge admitted he was “optimistic” to see the “quick, very strong, very aggressive” gem lead the line.

However, Brendan Rodgers only lasted until October of that season before he was sacked and replaced by Jurgen Klopp.

Instantly, those reservations over play style became far more intense. The man who had been signed for big money and was on a reported £100k-per-week fell to the wayside, as the German preferred slick football that did not require Benteke’s brute strength.

Ten goals in 42 appearances in all competitions was not a terrible return, but he was renowned for the chances he would squander during this period. He missed nine big chances in the Premier League alone.

This goal return meant that Liverpool had to pay £3.81m for every goal he scored for the club, as when factoring in his wages, the Belgian flop cost an eye-watering £38.1m.

Football writer Stefan Buczko labelled the 31-year-old  “one of the worst strikers I’ve ever seen”, and also dubbed him “utter useless”.

The only saving grace that FSG have is that they managed to offload him just a year after he was signed, with Crystal Palace willing suitors. They recouped a £27m fee, which was impressive considering his average form at Anfield.

However given the year he spent on the salary he did, making £5.6m just on the wages, it meant that in total the Merseyside outfit took a £11.1m loss on the misfiring marksman.

This represents a large outlay for the times, trusting a manager only to sack him soon into the season and replace him with someone also unwilling to play to Benteke's strengths.

The striker rinsed FSG blind with this deal, but they made a rod for their own back with this transfer.