Christian Benteke sent defiant message by Danny Ings over Liverpool role

Danny Ings has sent a warning to imminent new signing Christian Benteke that he is ready to lead the Liverpool attack this season after netting his first goal for the Reds in their pre-season win over Adelaide United.

Ings came off the bench to score the final goal for Brendan Rodgers' men as they claimed their second pre-season win in as many matches in South Australia.

After being played through by Nathaniel Clyne, Ings rounded Adelaide goalkeeper Eugene Galekovic and slotted into an empty net to open his Liverpool account, after James Milner had already given the tourists the lead.

The former Burnley forward faces substantial competition to lead the Liverpool attack from the likes of Fabio Borini, Rickie Lambert, Mario Balotelli and Divock Origi, while striker Daniel Sturridge is yet to return from injury.

The Independent claim that Benteke's arrival at Liverpool is looming and though there are greater challenges ahead, Ings is delighted to get off the mark and warns his current and future teammates that he is eyeing a permanent role leading the attack.

"I'm just over the moon I've got my first goal," Ings said after the 2-0 win, according to the Liverpool Echo. "It feels great. To get your first goal for a new club obviously helps you settle in and I thought the lads played fantastic.

"As you can imagine as a striker going to a new club it's so important to get the first goal and whether it's a friendly or a competitive match doesn't really matter.

"But now that I'm off the mark I can relax a bit and hopefully more goals will follow. I'm just going to work as hard as I can to score as many goals as I can for Liverpool.

"It was my dream to play for a club like this and now that I've got it I'm going to take the chance with both hands."