Liverpool reject Crystal Palace's initial £23m bid for Christian Benteke

Benteke is seen as surplus to requirements among the six strikers at Anfield.

Liverpool have rejected an initial £23million offer from Crystal Palace for striker Christian Benteke as they hold out for a fee similar to the one they paid last summer.

It is understood that Palace, whose own transfer kitty has been swelled by Yannick Bolasie's move to Everton on Monday, lodged a bid that, with add-ons, was thought could rise to £30million.