Liverpool FLOP beats Lionel Messi to MAJOR award

A Liverpool flop has scooped a prestigious award from under Lionel Messi's nose.

Christian Benteke failed to live up to his expectations when he joined Liverpool in 2015.

The Belgian forward scored just 10 goals in 42 appearances for the Reds, which is far from ideal for a striker. Especially after the club spent £32.5m on his services (The Guardian).

Benteke was often found on the bench because he wasn't fitting into Jurgen Klopp's style of play

Since leaving Anfield for Selhurst Park in 2016, he failed to live up to the role of a striker at Crystal Palace, scoring 37 goals in 177 appearances. However, he now seems to have found his scoring boots.

Benteke wins golden boot

The D.C. United striker has secured the 2024 MLS Golden Boot after an outstanding goal-scoring season for the Eastern Conference side, in just his second campaign with the side.

The 33-year-old netted 23 goals in 30 games for the Black and Red's along with seven assists. Benteke's impressive run included four goals in his final five matches of the regular season which ultimately resulted in him clinching the award.

This marked his highest goal tally in more than a decade, matching the 23 goals he scored during the 2012–13 season for Aston Villa.

DC United miss out

Benteke has now joined an exclusive group of players to claim the MLS Golden Boot, an honour which has been awarded since the league's inaugural season in 1996

Despite his goal-scoring efforts, D.C United missed out on the MLS cup play-offs after a 3–0 defeat to Charlotte FC at home on the final day. While Benteke was unable to find the net in the final game, it doesn't take away what an exceptional season he's had.

Meanwhile, Inter Miami's star duo, Lionel Messi and former Liverpool star Luis Suarez, who each scored 20 goals during the regular season, drove their team to win the Supporters' Shield with a record-breaking 74 points—the highest total in MLS history.