Christian Benteke could be sold this summer due to his £32.5 million buyout clause in his contract with Aston Villa. The clause had never previously been disclosed.

Tim Sherwood told Benteke he should set his sights higher than Liverpool.

Liverpool have identified Benteke as one of the players who could help to re-establish them as a top-four club next season and Sherwood said he was powerless to do anything about a deal that was agreed before he became manager. “There’s a buyout clause in his contract so it will be impossible for us to stop him if he wants to go,” Sherwood said. “Someone’s got to meet that buyout clause and if they don’t it won’t be considered because we don’t want to lose him.”