Rafael Benitez came out in support of Peter Crouch, the English media’s latest scapegoat for poor England play. Crouch is yet to score for the Reds since joining from Southampton this summer and Rafa has revealed how the rest of the squad are being shown how to provide the right sort of service for the player.
Crouch’s game is about more than his ability in the air, his reading of the game is excellent, his ability to create chances for team-mates is part of what makes him the player he is. Rafa says he’s pleased with Crouch’s start: "I’m like the supporters in that I’m happy with the way Crouch has played so far. Like any striker, though, he wants to score goals and it’ll be good for him when he does score. "
The Liverpool manager was frustrated in his attempts to sign some new wingers in the summer, and so he’s now working with the players he’s got to provide service for those strikers with good ability in the air: "People have suggested we need to get more crosses into the area for him and I agree with that. We’re working hard in training at finding ways to cross for Crouch and also Morientes."
Crouch is unlikely to start for England tonight, but the player he’s currently keeping out of the Liverpool side will be on international duty tonight. Djibril Cisse is expected to be used by France as they play with three strikers in a bid to qualify for the World Cup finals in Germany.