Crouchie's off then...

[red g]

He more than earned a start in the Champions League final, what would have been the biggest game in his career, considering he was our top scorer in Europe and we'd won every game he'd start in the European campaign "proper". He's not looked the same player for us since he was dropped for that match and I can understand why, it must be quite demotivating to know that no matter how well you play the chances are your manager will go with his favourite players regardless.

So you think its becuase Rafa has favourites? personally i think its Crouchies lack of pace and movement that is hindering his chances.

[Shaggy]

He more than earned a start in the Champions League final, what would have been the biggest game in his career, considering he was our top scorer in Europe and we'd won every game he'd start in the European campaign "proper". He's not looked the same player for us since he was dropped for that match and I can understand why, it must be quite demotivating to know that no matter how well you play the chances are your manager will go with his favourite players regardless.

[fred_plasticine]

So you think its becuase Rafa has favourites? personally i think its Crouchies lack of pace and movement that is hindering his chances.

if you look at the the other strikers he's not mobile enough. he kinda holds our attacking play up which is of course useful in certain games and these are probably the games he'll play. we tend to hoof the ball upfield when he's on the pitch and our attacking play sees to be slower as well. that combined with him constantly missing simple headers i can see why he's down the packing order at the moment.

[AFII]

The difference is that we now have Torres who can do everything Crouch can and a lot more.

Last season Crouch was our only striker that could act a target striker but not anymore.

[bobbyfallon]

the sooner crouch goes the better. not LFC standard and there are better out there. he slows our attack down and cant head a ball????

sorry big lad i thank you for the memories but your time is nearly up.

i wont miss you

and more pace and talent up front with torres and we can start to scare defences

[kewellnthegang]

Rafa is the gaffer. Crouchy needs to remember this, apologize to the manager and knuckle down in training. Sweat your bollocks off lad if you want to rescue your Liverpool career.

well put and said fella

ive got a lotta time for the big man - but he wants to remember who supported him when he couldnt score in fook knows how many games

loyalty is a two way street

[bobbyfallon]

The difference is that we now have Torres who can do everything Crouch can and a lot more.

Last season Crouch was our only striker that could act a target striker but not anymore.

amen

[Marky]

Crouch is a better STRIKER than Kuyt btw

[kewellnthegang]

Crouch is a better STRIKER than Kuyt btw

[Parm]

Rafa is the gaffer. Crouchy needs to remember this, apologize to the manager and knuckle down in training. Sweat your bollocks off lad if you want to rescue your Liverpool career.

is the right thing for crouch to do. Just because we've signed you Crouchie, doesnt mean you've made it. That was jus the start, he has to keep on improving and pushing himself,it's fine to want to play, but he's got to knuckle down in training and show Rafa he is ready.

[red g]

is the right thing for crouch to do. Just because we've signed you Crouchie, doesnt mean you've made it. That was jus the start, he has to keep on improving and pushing himself,it's fine to want to play, but he's got to knuckle down in training and show Rafa he is ready.

i bet you Rafa is none to happy he is shagging that Abi bird either.

I think he will go in Jan, even if he knuckles down he is only going to be a bit part player and crouchie needs to be regularly playing to be at his best imo

[Lecter]

Must be gospel then.

Until I hear something from either Rafa or Crouch I'll take anything else with a pinch of salt.

I remember Rafa talking about new deals for all the players who have eventually signed new contracts in the summer, I don't remember him saying anything about Crouch.

Also been in the Echo & Daily Post a few weeks ago

[Lecter]

Crouch to bide time over deal
Sep 10 2007 by Ian Doyle, Daily Post

PETER CROUCH is stalling over the offer of a new contract from Liverpool – with Manchester City monitoring developments.

Crouch, who is at present tied to the club until the end of next season, has been offered a new three-year deal by Rafael Benitez.

But the striker will wait until January before deciding whether to commit his long-term future.

Crouch, has been frustrated at his lack of first-team opportunities at Anfield.

The 26-year-old has played only seven minutes in the Premier League this season and is concerned a lack of games will impact on his England prospects. Benitez has constantly stated he has no intention of selling Crouch, but Liverpool’s hand may be forced if the striker doesn’t sign up to a new deal with both Manchester City and Juventus alerted by the current impasse.

It emerged yesterday that Atletico Madrid are increasingly keen on reuniting goalkeeper Jose Reina with former Anfield team-mate Luis Garcia at the end of the present campaign, despite the goalkeeper committing himself to Liverpool until 2012.

[Lecter]

Liverpool boost as Fabio Aurelio returns
Sep 11 2007 by Chris Bascombe, Liverpool Echo

FABIO AURELIO was expected to make his long awaited recovery from injury in a behind closed doors friendly today.

The Brazilian is pencilled in to face Crewe in a reserve game scheduled at Liverpool’s Academy.

Providing the full- back feels comfortable enough to start, he’ll be involved for the first time since snapping his Achilles tendon in the 3-0 win over PSV Eindhoven in last year’s Champions League quarter-final first leg.

“We hope Fabio will be able to play in this game,” explained manager Rafa Benitez. “He’s been training well and now we think he is ready. It’s positive news to have him back.”

If Aurelio comes through the match unscathed, he could be in contention for a senior call-up sooner rather than later.

Benitez will be eager for more cover at full-back, despite the impressive start to the season of Alvaro Arbeloa.

Aurelio was beginning to establish himself at Anfield with some excellent performances before bad luck intervened at the end of last season.

Meanwhile, Benitez has ridiculed recent reports suggesting Pepe Reina has emerged as a target for Atletico Madrid next summer.

The Spanish daily AS made the claims last weekend, but Benitez couldn’t have been more dismissive.

“I spoke to some people about this and, unfortunately, I think the journalist who wrote the story is very inexperienced,” said Benitez.

“Maybe before Pepe signed a new contract a lot of clubs wanted to talk to him, but that was many weeks ago. He is very happy at Liverpool and I don’t believe at the start of the season, with Pepe and the team playing really well, is the time to start talking about what will happen at the end of this season. The transfer window is closed and Pepe is really happy here so a story like this is not true.”

On a similar theme, however, Peter Crouch’s future may remain a subject of speculation for much of the campaign following indications he’s stalling on possible contract talks.

Crouch has two years left on his current deal but is clearly uncertain what the future holds after the arrival of Fernando Torres and Andriy Voronin - both of whom have made excellent starts to the Anfield career.

Benitez has made it clear on countless occasions he sees Crouch as a key part of his plans, but the message may not be sinking in.

[Shaggy]

"Indications" that he's stalling on "possible" contract talks.

Emphatic!!