Peter Crouch denies rift with Rafa Benitez
Aug 16 2007 by David Prentice, Liverpool Echo
PETER CROUCH has admitted he was devastated to be left out of Liverpool’s opening day squad at Aston Villa.
But after making his return in the 1-0 Champions League qualifying win in Toulouse, the striker said he was shocked by the way his sense of disappointment was misrepresented.
There were exaggerated claims of a major showdown between the player and manager last weekend, but Crouch says it’s not his style to throw out his dummy when not selected.
“I was disappointed to miss out on Saturday, so it was good to play yesterday,” said Crouch. “The manager explained to me it will be a long season, and he proved what he meant by replacing the two who started on Saturday with myself and Andriy.
“I’m sure he will continue to chop and change, but everyone will play their fair share.
“Everyone knows players want to be playing every game, so when you are geared up all pre-season to play the first game against Aston Villa, of course you don’t want to miss out.
“Anyone who was in my position would feel the same. People would be more disappointed in me if I didn’t feel disappointed not to play. But what I will say is that whenever I’m called upon I’ll be ready, and I hope I proved that yesterday and will continue to do so throughout the season.
“I’ve got to prove to the manager on the training pitch and in the games when I get the chance that I should be in the team, but I’m not the type of person who goes off shouting, screaming and knocking down doors. I want to do my talking on the pitch.”
Andriy Voronin grabbed the glory in France, but the intense heat made it virtually impossible to give more than a professional, yet low tempo performance.
“It was hard work, but under the circumstances it was a fantastic result,” said Crouch. “They’re used to playing in that kind of heat, but we’re not. We got a taste of it in Hong Kong over the summer, but they were evening games, so I think we’ve coped really well.
“Now we can get back to Anfield to finish the job. We knew how important it was and the new owners were there to watch us, so the manager didn’t let us forget it was a massive game.”
Now thoughts instantly switch to Chelsea, with Crouch believing a home win would firmly establish Liverpool’s title credentials.
“Every game seems huge at the moment,” he said. “We’ve had a good start at Villa, the Champions League was important, but the rivalry with Chelsea makes this another massive game, especially as it’s our first at Anfield.
“If we beat Chelsea we’ll lay down a marker we can beat anyone. We feel that’s true anyway, but want to prove that’s the case on Sunday.”
Aug 16 2007 by David Prentice, Liverpool Echo
PETER CROUCH has admitted he was devastated to be left out of Liverpool’s opening day squad at Aston Villa.
But after making his return in the 1-0 Champions League qualifying win in Toulouse, the striker said he was shocked by the way his sense of disappointment was misrepresented.
There were exaggerated claims of a major showdown between the player and manager last weekend, but Crouch says it’s not his style to throw out his dummy when not selected.
“I was disappointed to miss out on Saturday, so it was good to play yesterday,” said Crouch. “The manager explained to me it will be a long season, and he proved what he meant by replacing the two who started on Saturday with myself and Andriy.
“I’m sure he will continue to chop and change, but everyone will play their fair share.
“Everyone knows players want to be playing every game, so when you are geared up all pre-season to play the first game against Aston Villa, of course you don’t want to miss out.
“Anyone who was in my position would feel the same. People would be more disappointed in me if I didn’t feel disappointed not to play. But what I will say is that whenever I’m called upon I’ll be ready, and I hope I proved that yesterday and will continue to do so throughout the season.
“I’ve got to prove to the manager on the training pitch and in the games when I get the chance that I should be in the team, but I’m not the type of person who goes off shouting, screaming and knocking down doors. I want to do my talking on the pitch.”
Andriy Voronin grabbed the glory in France, but the intense heat made it virtually impossible to give more than a professional, yet low tempo performance.
“It was hard work, but under the circumstances it was a fantastic result,” said Crouch. “They’re used to playing in that kind of heat, but we’re not. We got a taste of it in Hong Kong over the summer, but they were evening games, so I think we’ve coped really well.
“Now we can get back to Anfield to finish the job. We knew how important it was and the new owners were there to watch us, so the manager didn’t let us forget it was a massive game.”
Now thoughts instantly switch to Chelsea, with Crouch believing a home win would firmly establish Liverpool’s title credentials.
“Every game seems huge at the moment,” he said. “We’ve had a good start at Villa, the Champions League was important, but the rivalry with Chelsea makes this another massive game, especially as it’s our first at Anfield.
“If we beat Chelsea we’ll lay down a marker we can beat anyone. We feel that’s true anyway, but want to prove that’s the case on Sunday.”
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