• Benteke admits frustration but says he does not want to leave • ‘It’s in the most difficult situation that the real warriors stand up’

Christian Benteke has admitted his frustration at life on the periphery at Liverpool but is determined to fight for more game-time under Jürgen Klopp after scoring his first goal of 2016 on Sunday.

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The Belgium international, a £32.5m signing from Aston Villa last summer, won the controversial late penalty at Crystal Palace from which he scored the winner in the 2-1 victory at Selhurst Park. Benteke has not started a Premier League game since the defeat at West Ham United on 2 January, the forward since reduced to cameos from the bench to fuel suspicions that his stay at Anfield may be limited to a solitary season.

There had been talk of interest from Chinese Super League clubs last month when it was already clear the striker’s opportunities at Liverpool may be sporadic. “But, in my mind, I was never thinking about a move,” Benteke said. “I didn’t want to leave. I’ve still enough ambition and enough character to fight in difficult moments. I don’t give up easily. I fight till the end. Sure, this is not the easiest of situations but you always have to be ready.

“It’s in the most difficult situation that the real warriors, the tough men and determined guys, stand up. In a career you’ll have top moments but also difficult times. You have to be up for it. I have to take every chance that comes my way, and use every minute the manager gives me: one minute, five minutes, 10 minutes, half an hour, whatever. I’m feeling good and working very hard on the training ground just to be ready when the manager needs me.”

Benteke has effectively played backup to Roberto Firmino, Daniel Sturridge and, of late, his young compatriot Divock Origi. “It frustrates me but that’s football,” he said. “I think, on Sunday, there were eight international players out of the starting 11. So I’m not competing against n’importe qui [just anybody].

“I just have to accept the competition. It’s the manager’s choice. Maybe, at times, he needs Divock more than me. At other moments, me or maybe Sturridge. I haven’t talked with the manager to ask him why I’m not playing. I just wait for my chance.”

The striker maintained the touch from Damien Delaney’s right knee, as he burst towards the byline deep into stoppage time, had knocked him sufficiently off his stride to justify the award of the late and decisive penalty. The offence had initially been flagged by the assistant referee, Scott Ledger, from whom Andre Marriner took consultation before confirming his decision.

“I have seen the images again,” he said. “He has touched me effectively, at the back of my left ankle. It wasn’t the toughest contact but there was contact. I told myself: ‘This is a good chance to score again. I have taken my responsibility.’ If I can score decisive goals, all the better. It’s a pleasure to help us move up the table.”