Liverpool Transfer News: Latest Rumours on Christian Benteke and Jonas Hector

Liverpool flop Christian Benteke could be set to depart Anfield for Premier League new boys Hull City on loan, according to the Times (h/t the Hull Daily Mail).

The 25-year-old Belgium international has been much-maligned following his £32.5 million transfer from Aston Villa in July last year, as he failed to recapture the form and score the goals that earned him a move to Merseyside.

However, managerless Hull are offering the misfiring frontman an escape. And should Benteke agree to swap the Mersey for the Humber, he could lead their survival charge. 

Matt Dunham/Associated Press

Per the Times, the Tigers squad have been informed of the offer for the Belgian attacker in a bid to ease concern following the recent surprise exit of manager Steve Bruce. Abel Hernandez is the club's only recognised first-team striker following a pre-season rocked by injury worries throughout the team.

Per WhoScored.com, Benteke netted 42 goals in three Premier League seasons at Villa Park, building the reputation that earned him his move to a side competing in European competition. However, while in the red of Liverpool last season, the former Racing Genk attacker managed just nine goals in 29 league appearances.

Take a look at what Benteke offered Villa during his time in the west Midlands:

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has shelled out a significant amount of money this summer, with the signings of Southampton's Sadio Mane and Georginio Wijnaldum from Newcastle United costing a combined £55 million, per Charlie Phillippe of the Daily Express.

A natural centre-forward likely never topped the German boss' priority list during the window, with the club preparing to welcome back long-term injury lay-off Danny Ings and Benteke still fighting with Daniel Sturridge, international team-mate Divock Origi and Roberto Firmino for a starting spot.

WhoScored.com highlighted the aerial prowess of Benteke:

Per John Cross of the Mirror, both Crystal Palace and West Ham United were interested in signing the towering, powerful striker but were put off by Liverpool's financial demands. The Anfield outfit is insisting it recoups the full amount spent on Benteke in 2015. However, neither club was willing to offer that sort of figure.

According to the Times, Liverpool would prefer Benteke to leave on a permanent deal as opposed to a short-term loan. Per the Liverpool Echo's James Pearce, the out-of-form striker was omitted from his side's International Champions Cup match with AC Milan on Saturday:

Elsewhere, Klopp's search for a new left-back is set to continue, after FC Cologne defender Jonas Hector told Bild he rejected the opportunity to make the switch to Liverpool (h/t James Gray of the Sunday Express).

Martin Meissner/Associated Press

After missing out on promising Leicester City left-back Ben Chilwell, who recently signed a new five-year contract, per the Foxes' official website, Klopp is still looking to sign competition for Alberto Moreno.

The attack-minded wing-back lost the backing of the crowd after his performance against former club Sevilla in the UEFA Europa League final last term but could still start the new season as first choice, according to Samuel Lovett of The Independent.

Germany international Hector denied reports stating he would leave the Bundesliga club before his contract expires in 2018, with the defender telling Bild (h/t Gray): “I never said anything to the contrary, so nothing stands in the way. Don’t rule [a contract extension out]. We will clarify the issue internally. There is no stress, because my contract runs until 2018. I’m sitting here. If I want to go, I would stress the need not to do this [interview].”

According to Mark Brus for Metro.co.uk, Liverpool were willing to pay Cologne £25 million to acquire the 26-year-old defender.