Liverpool Transfer News: Christian Benteke Backed, Latest Marco Reus Rumours

Former Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert believes Christian Benteke will prove to be a "terrific signing" for Liverpool.

Benteke is on the verge of completing a move to Anfield after the Reds triggered his £32.5 million buyout clause, reported by BBC Sport's Ben Smith. He will land Villa a huge profit after Lambert signed the player from Genk for £7 million in 2012, noted by Smith.

Lambert believes Benteke will endear himself to the Kop, as he told Sky Sports:

"

I think he is going to do great. Christian phoned me yesterday and I had a good chat with him. I am delighted for him, he has got a move to a really big, big club. I hear reports that he can only score from cross balls. Well, Christian Benteke will score for Liverpool.

The chances they create, he will score and, as Christian said yesterday, he is very good with his feet. I knew that anyway from signing him and I think he will be a terrific signing.

"

ANDREW YATES/Getty Images

Benteke notched 19, 10 and 13 goals in three respective Premier League seasons with the Midlands club. He is a constant threat inside the box, but when fully focused, he should be seen as more than the traditional big man.

This is key for Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers, who quickly moved clumsy powerhouse Andy Carroll on when he arrived at Anfield.

Rodgers will certainly have plenty of attacking combinations to try out. He watched on as Danny Ings netted his first goal for the club during Monday's pre-season win over Adelaide United, with Divock Origi also working through his second appearance in the front line.

It's easy to forget main striker Daniel Sturridge remains sidelined and that Mario Balotelli, Fabio Borini and Rickie Lambert are still at the club.

The 33-year-old is gaining plenty of Premier League interest, tweeted by ITV Football and John Cross of the Mirror:

"

West Brom are expected to sign Rickie Lambert by the end of this week http://t.co/zhjf3wucXY pic.twitter.com/e1Z5I16jfH

— ITV Football (@itvfootball) July 21, 2015"

Rodgers is more than happy to have a large squad ahead of Liverpool's assault on four competitions, reported by James Pearce of the Liverpool Echo:

"

People can see the quality of the players that are coming in and the ones that were already here. Once we get that combination together we can go into each competition and put out a really strong team.

There is no player that has come to the club and is guaranteed to play every single game. We aim to do well in all competitions and it is a squad being built to cope with it.

"

The Reds are unlikely to add Borussia Dortmund forward Marco Reus to their squad after news Real Madrid are closing in on the German, as reported by beIN Sports (h/t Chris Beesley of the Liverpool Echo).

B/R UK's Stefan Bienkowski doesn't believe Reus will choose Liverpool if the player is to move:

Masashi Hara/Getty Images

Rodgers has worked avidly since the end of last season to make sure his squad is prepared for the upcoming Premier League campaign. The signings of James Milner, Ings, Adam Bogdan, Roberto Firmino, Joe Gomez and Nathaniel Clyne add strength in depth to a side that will be itching to return to the Champions League at the first time of asking.

Benteke's imminent arrival adds much-needed goalscoring quality and further tactical possibilities for Rodgers. The Northern Irishman is a shrewd strategist at best and can thrive if his main stars remain fit.

While Liverpool's success will largely be dictated by whether Sturridge can stay healthy, Benteke is more than capable of proving his worth with or without the Englishman alongside him.