Christian Benteke is to have a scan on a hamstring problem on Tuesday amid concerns the Liverpool striker could miss a reunion with his former club Aston Villa.
The £32.5m summer signing from Villa was substituted at half-time during Liverpool’s 1-1 draw against Norwich City on Sunday having felt tightness in his hamstring. Benteke remains affected by the problem and will miss the visit of Carlisle United to Anfield on Wednesday in the Capital One Cup third round. He could also be absent when his former club Villa arrive on Merseyside on Saturday in the Premier League.
“Christian will have an MRI scan today,” confirmed the first-team coach Gary McAllister. “He’s not going to be ready for tomorrow.”
Danny Ings would have been in contention to start on Wednesday regardless of Benteke’s availability having delivered a fine goalscoring display as the Belgium international’s replacement against Norwich.
McAllister said: “It was refreshing to see Danny’s performance. He’s been working his socks off every day in training and deserved his goal. It was no fluke that he was able to get in that position and score – he’s been working hard at his game.”
