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Christian Benteke has vowed to prove his doubters wrong as the striker set his sights on firing Liverpool FC into the Champions League.

The £32.5million new signing from Aston Villa insists he can handle the pressure of life at Anfield and is ready to start Sunday’s Premier League opener at Stoke City.

Some have questioned how the 6ft 3ins Belgium international will fit into Liverpool’s style with Villa boss Tim Sherwood warning him there was “no point going to a club where they don’t cross the ball”.

However, Benteke has hit back at his former manager and says there is much more to his game that aerial prowess.

“I don’t believe that what he said is true and I told him that,” Benteke said.

“I spoke with him and I explained the situation. I said football has changed and the football now is modern and I can adapt.

“It is not just about crossing, I can score normal goals too. I told him I am not afraid about it. If Liverpool bought me then they know how to use me.

“That’s why I came here - I’ll show I can play with my feet too.”

Brendan Rodgers’ summer-long pursuit of Benteke finally reached a successful conclusion last month when Liverpool triggered his release clause.

The 24-year-old frontman became the second most expensive signing in the club’s history and inherited the No 9 shirt worn in the past by the likes of Ian Rush and Robbie Fowler.

It’s been some rise for Benteke, who was born in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. His family fled the country and emigrated to Belgium where he launched his career with Genk.

Villa signed him from Genk for £8million in 2012 and he plundered 49 goals in 101 games for the Midlanders. Now he’s relishing the prospect of swapping a relegation battle for a Champions League push.

“I wasn’t concerned about the move not happening because I have a big faith,” he said.

“I was praying and only God knows if something will happen, Nothing can stop it.

“I think my family is more proud than me. It has been a long journey, but I keep calm. My family are happy for me because they know where I come from.

“I was first aware of Liverpool’s interest when I spoke with my agent after the FA Cup final.

“I don’t think about the transfer fee. I knew if I joined a big club I would have some pressure so I am ready for this challenge. I will work hard and not worry about things.

“I think the pressure will bring the best out of me. The money is high, but even if it was less when you join a big club there is pressure so I just have to deal with it.

“It is an honour to get this number and I am happy to have it. I don’t like to speak about what I am going to do, I like to speak on the pitch.

“Of course I want to get into the Champions League. I can help Liverpool do that.”

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Following Steven Gerrard’s exit, there’s room for a new Kop icon but Benteke says securing that kind of status isn’t his motivation.

“I am a player who came here to improve myself and to be bigger than before,” he said.

“I am not coming in here with the intention of being a hero to the fans. Of course, I would appreciate it if they love me but it is not my main goal. If I do well then everyone will be happy. It is up to me.

“I am going to do my best for the team. I believe I can produce the goals, but I am not alone here. That is the good thing. I have players behind me and around me.

“Now it is a different situation, a different pressure. Here it’s the pressure to be at the top and with Villa it was the pressure of not to go down. I believe whatever level I play at I will score goals.”

Benteke’s arrival at Liverpool will have been a relief to the club’s defenders, who now only have to face him in training. The Reds have been tormented by the Belgian in recent years with him netting five goals in six games, including the equaliser in April’s FA Cup semi-final at Wembley.

“I told them we won’t fight like we used to do, now we will fight together any opponents,” he said.

“I don’t know why I did so well against Liverpool. But I hope the Liverpool fans see the player who played against them at Wembley. I played a good game in the semi-final and the final was a bit hard for all of us.”

Benteke neatly side-stepped criticism from Roy Keane, the former Villa assistant boss, who claimed the striker’s lack of application in training would hold him back from fulfilling his full potential.

“He can say what he wants. I don’t want to be arrogant but since I came to England I’ve proved I wasn’t a bad player,” he said firmly.

However, Benteke was more forthcoming when asked about how Sherwood took the credit for his blistering form towards the back end of last season. Benteke had initially struggled on his return to action under Paul Lambert after six months out with a ruptured Achilles tendon.

But following the appointment of Sherwood he came to life - scoring a dozen goals in his last 13 appearances to save Villa from relegation.

“People don’t understand. It was a bit frustrating,” he said.

“It was like I had never been injured. He came in at a good time, at a time when I was getting fit and getting better, so it was like a good time for both of us. The right time for him and for me.

“Okay, he helped me a lot but I had been injured for a long time and I was getting back to what I could do. It was just a question of time. With Paul Lambert it was hard because I had just come back and had to help the team. We were struggling and when Tim came I was feeling better than before.”

Now Benteke wants to reproduce that kind of form for the Reds and the early signs are promising with him netting a stunning volley in last weekend’s friendly win over Swindon Town.

He has only played just over an hour during pre-season but is set to start at the Britannia Stadium on Sunday as Rodgers’ side look to avenge May’s 6-1 mauling.

“I feel very good and I’ll try to be fit for this weekend,” he said.

“I am looking forward to it. It is nice to start with a goal, especially for a striker for your confidence. I hope I can do the same in the league.

“It’s been easy to settle and I am happy to be here.”