Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew has insisted that Christian Benteke will be up for the Premier League clash against his former club Liverpool on Saturday.
The striker, who joined Liverpool from Aston Villa in 2015, failed to make his mark at Anfield and was snapped up by Crystal Palace in the summer.
Former Reds boss Brendan Rodgers brought Benteke to the Merseyside, but the Belgium international saw his opportunities limited after Jurgen Klopp took charge of the club last October.
Benteke netted eight times in 36 games in all competitions under Klopp, while he turned out 42 times in total for Liverpool, scoring 10 times.
It was claimed that the Belgian was not suited to Klopp’s pressing style of play as he was deemed surplus to requirements by the German manager.
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And Pardew, who explained Benteke is happy at Crystal Palace, stated that the forward will be raring to go against his former employers.
"When you've not had the opportunity you think you deserve, it's natural to be up for this game", he said in his pre-match press conference on Friday.
"Christian is playing with a smile on his face.
"Every player wants to play, especially great players like him."
Benteke has thus far scored three goals in nine appearances in all competitions for the Eagles.
