Topics: English Premier League, Liverpool, Christian Benteke, Brendan Rodgers
The Belgian striker revealed Brendan Rodgers was a huge influence to sign with the Reds, where he is expected to fill the shoes left by Luis Suarez.

Brendan Rodgers' primary target has finally joined Liverpool. Striker Christian Benteke joined the Reds after the club met the £32.5 million buyout clause set by Aston Villa, with his new contract extended for the next five years. The Belgian forward scored 49 goals in all competitions for his former club, although he hasn't been able to score more than 15 goals in the two most recent seaons.

While most of the team is currently playing pre-season friendlies in Malaysia, the Belgian player started working out with some of his team-mates, including new signing Roberto Firmino, Phillippe Coutinho and Mario Balotelli, who seems to be living his final moments with the team.

Here are Benteke's first words to the team's website.

Benteke is well aware of the team's need of a new championship, although he knows the size of the club he just joined.

"I know Liverpool is a big story. They’ve won league titles and the Champions League five times and of course the UEFA Cup and a lot of trophies. I’m very happy to be part of the Liverpool family now and I will do everything to make them happy and work hard for them and my team-mates," Benteke added.

Two of Liverpool's summer signings training together: Christian Benteke & Roberto Firmino.