Kolo Toure has welcomed Liverpool's pursuit of Christian Benteke.

The Belgium international is set to join the Reds from Aston Villa on a £32.5million deal on Wednesday and centre-half Toure is excited about the star striker's impending arrival.

"Benteke is a great player," Toure told the Liverpool Echo.

"It's much better to have him on my side than have to play against him.

"He's so strong and powerful – we all know about his qualities.

"He's a goalscorer but his mental strength is very important.

"I've played against some good strikers who are mentally weak.

"Benteke isn't weak, he stands up for himself. No matter what happens on he pitch, he will perform."