After three seasons at Anfield, Peter Crouch’s Liverpool career has come to an end, although Rafael Benitez didn’t want it to be this way. The Press Association reports that the Spaniard is sorry to see the back of the England international, despite only using him sparingly last season after acquiring Fernando Torres from Atletico Madrid. He might be even more regretful when Crouchie bangs one in when Portsmouth play the Reds next season!
“He is a good professional and a nice person, and we would have wanted him to stay. We offered him a new contract.”
He added: “But sometimes you have to understand the player. He wanted to play a lot more, and with Fernando Torres now first choice, that was always going to be difficult.
“I can understand Peter’s situation. But he did very well for this club and we always supported him when people doubted the decision to bring him to Anfield.”
Nevertheless, it was Benitez who was lacking in support for the forward last term, only giving him limited opportunities to shine, and using him as an impact player for the most part. Will Crouch show Rafa what he’s missing next term by scoring 20+ goals for Pompey? Will he and fellow reject Defoe become a lethal strike pairing?