Christian Benteke scored this screamer on his Liverpool debut in a pre-season friendly against Swindon Town. Video courtesy of LFCTV. Christian Benteke scored this screamer on his Liverpool debut in a pre-season friendly against Swindon Town. Video courtesy of LFCTV.

Christian Benteke could be the difference between Liverpool finishing fourth and fifth this season, according to club legend Ian Rush.

Benteke became the Reds’ seventh summer signing last month when he made a £32.5m move from Aston Villa and immediately made his mark in Sunday's friendly at Swindon with a thumping volley.

Rush, who scored a record 346 goals in 15 years at Anfield, believes the Belgium international will bring crucial versatility and could be the club's most decisive signing of the summer.

Christian Benteke celebrates opening his Liverpool account in style with a stunning volley against Swindon

“For me, he's a great signing," Rush told Sky Sports. "We didn’t score as many as we'd like last season, so he's a great addition to the squad.

“He could be the difference between fourth and fifth, that's how good he was for Aston Villa.

“Brendan (Rodgers) will be looking at different options, different styles of play, and Benteke comes in to that. It's now about how the new players gel with him, but he'll certainly be given a great chance to prove what he can do.

“I think Benteke will help the midfielders, he'll give Henderson, Coutinho, Milner, Firmino a chance to play.”

Liverpool finished eight points off the Champions League spots in sixth last season and acted early to address weaknesses in the squad, bringing in Danny Ings, Roberto Firmino, James Milner, Adam Bogdan, Nathaniel Clyne and Joe Gomez alongside Benteke.

Rush believes there is a good possibility Rodgers’ side could finish in the top four, and insists the club have corrected a lack of firepower that saw them score only 52 goals last season - less than any other club in the top seven.

“It's going to be hard, but the aim is top four of course,” he added. “Arsenal look very strong, Chelsea are always strong, the two Manchester clubs, and it's going to be very tight. But I think the signings we've made, there's a good possibility we could finish in the top four.

Benteke's aerial ability will bring a new dimension to Liverpool's play

“I'm very impressed with the signings, I'm happy the owners have given Brendan money to do that, and that we've got them early. Sometimes you go in late, but he's got them in early, most have been on pre-season and have bonded.

“Two years ago we were scoring goals and letting goals in. Last season we kept 14 clean sheets, so we kept a clean sheet but were not scoring.

“This season we need to score more goals and continue keeping them out. He's made changes and everyone is fighting for their place now.”