Adam Lallana expecting great things from Liverpool target Christian Benteke

Liverpool midfielder Adam Lallana believes signing Christian Benteke from Aston Villa will send an important message to their Premier League rivals and help them challenge for a place in the Champions League next season.

The Reds faltered badly last season, finishing sixth in the league following the departure of Luis Suarez and a chronic injury to Daniel Sturridge, who struggled for game time in the recently concluded campaign. The England international is still out with injury and is unlikely to be ready for the start of the upcoming season.

Brendan Rodgers has made some astute signings this summer to address their glaring holes across the pitch and in spite of the departure of Raheem Sterling to Manchester City, look a more complete unit.

Benteke will join Roberto Firmino, James Milner, Nathaniel Clyne, Adam Bogdan, Joe Gomez and Danny Ings as their seventh signing this summer and Lallana is excited by the prospect of pairing up with him this season.

The Reds have triggered Benteke's release clause of £32.5m ($50m), according to the BBC, and it is only a matter of time before the move is completed to Anfield.

"That would be a big statement . He is a big ­presence. He has always scored goals. He would be a very strong component for us if he was to arrive," Lallana told the Mirror.

The midfielder went on to add that the new signings have added some much needed buzz in the squad and that the team is ready to counter what is to be thrown at them when their campaign starts on 8 August.

"There's a good buzz around the place. The new signings have been brilliant so far. Liverpool have done some shrewd business. There's a good balance," he continued.

"Nathaniel I know well [from their days together with Southampton and England] – he is a solid signing and he is just going to get better under Brendan's guidance.

"James Milner is a great professional and a great player as well. He has won the league and he will bring something different. Divock brings something different too, as does Danny Ings."