Klopp says Benteke must not hide

The 25-year-old has not scored for 11 games, a run stretching back to Boxing Day, and has just seven goals for the whole season.

He is still Liverpool's top scorer, but, with Daniel Sturridge making his long-awaited return from injury on Tuesday, Benteke's situation will come under even more scrutiny.

"I can do a lot of things but at the end - and it is not only with Christian - the last important help comes from the player himself," said the Reds boss.

"It is not the easiest period of his career but the number of opportunities (he is getting) is a good sign, if he had no opportunities it would be a much bigger problem but it is not too easy.

"You cannot hide yourself. I talked to him a few times and gave him some advice as a human being and a coach and he has really tried to come back to an easy moment.

"Strikers who do not score goals for a longer period are more interesting than someone else who does not score enough.

"But there are worse situations in the world - even in the world of football - so we have to carry on and he has to carry on."

Liverpool head to Benteke's former club Aston Villa on Sunday but Klopp cautioned against that trip sparking the big centre-forward into goalscoring action again.

"I have not the best experience with players coming back to former clubs, it is usually they make more pressure for themselves because they want to show extra," the German said.

"I don't know the history with Christian and Aston Villa so I don't know whether they will welcome him with open arms or whistles but that is not too interesting for me.

"I don't hope too often before a game 'Come on, maybe this is the game when it will change'

It is about work and circumstances and we will see what line-up we will choose but it is not because of personal histories with this club."

Source: PA