Rafa's alleged contract offer to Crouch....

[Meursault]

moro is spanish though

Fowler is not spanish is he? I seem to recall Rafa treating him like gold, and last match at Anfield, he started him (even though God was way off form and dare i say way past it), and took him off with 5 minutes to spare for a standing ovation. If that's not sentimentalism, i don't know what is.

[BubbaZanetti]

I smell Tesco small club fans

[JPK]

Liverpool striker Peter Crouch has admitted he might have to leave Anfield this summer.



Crouch is frustrated with his lack of first-team opportunities this season with Fernando Torres leading the line for Liverpool this term.


The England international is planning showdown talks with Reds boss Rafa Benitez to find out if he has a future at Liverpool with a number of clubs thought to be waiting in the wings to sign him if he becomes available.


"What I must do is speak to the manager. When all is said and done I don't think I can have another season like this year where I've started nine Premier League games," Crouch told The Mirror.


"Out of a 38-game league season, nine games is not the amount you want to be playing.


"I'll have to speak to the manager and see what his plans are. I need to see him and sort things out.


"I have to find out what he wants from me for next season and whether or not I can continue with that.


Wanted
"In some ways I want to feel wanted. I've got a few questions I want to ask him , and I;m sure he has with me too.


"So I'd like to speak to the manager and the club before I commit to anthing and know whether or not I'll be here next year."


"When you're losing a game and you're on the bench, I always think I'm going to get on," he said. "Not getting on against Chelsea was frustrating and disappointing. It's something I've had to cope with quite a bit this season.


"I've always got on with it and tried to keep my mouth shut and just play when called upon.


Frustrating
"I know I'm not going to play every game at Liverpool, but the year before I had a good season. I played a lot more than this year and ended up scoring 18 goals. It's got worse this year and that can be frustrating.


"I want to play for Liverpool in the Champions League and win things, but am I really achieving these things if I'm missing out on these big games?


"You are part of the squad, but there are times when you feel like you're not achieving that. Whether you want to win things like that or play football is for me to make the decision in the summer."

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11669_3531847,00.html

[Shaggy]

The above report misses this bit:

Contrary to Benitez's claims the club had offered Crouch a new deal, he said: "There's no contract on the table.

"I spoke to (chief executive) Rick Parry halfway through the season and that's when there was all sorts going on with the owners and no-one knew who was going to own the club, let alone what my role at the club would be.

"They said they'd like to offer me one and we said we'd love to talk. That was midway through the season and now we're going to the end of the season, we will talk.

"It was just a five-minute chat. There was no money discussed or anything like that and everyone at Liverpool will tell you the same.

"At the time I wasn't playing so there was no way I could commit and no way they could ask me to.

"It's not really a question of who owns the club, it's about me not having enough games this season and wanting to know what the plans are for next season."

Crouch claims he cannot afford to endure another bit-part season because he fears it could cost him his England place, despite his 14 goals in 25 international appearances.

The former Southampton striker has seen how Michael Owen has fallen from grace under boss Fabio Capello and knows he needs to be playing regularly.

"I always feel when I've been in the squad I've done well for England, so hopefully that won't change," he said.

"But I do have to be playing for my club more than I have done this season. Any player with aspirations of playing for England needs to be playing regularly."

And in a parting shot to Benitez, Crouch said: "The England manager wants players who are playing regular football and that's what I want, too."

[JPK]

Peter Crouch has made the astonishing revelation that he is yet to receive a contract offer from Liverpool, despite Rafa Benitez claiming he has.

Crouch has started just nine Premier League games this season, but Benitez is adamant he wants to keep the England striker – insisting a contract is waiting to be signed.

However, in a situation that shows shades of Steven Gerrard back in 2005, Crouch reveals he will go seeking talks with Liverpool, who are doing little to make him feel wanted.

“There’s no contract on the table,” Crouch said in The Daily Mirror.

“I spoke to (chief executive) Rick Parry halfway through the season and that’s when there was all sorts going on with the owners and no-one knew who was going to own the club, let alone what my role at the club would be.

“They said they’d like to offer me a new contract and we said we’d love to talk. That was midway through the season and now we’re going to the end of the season, we will talk.

“It was just a five-minute chat. There was no money discussed or anything like that and everyone at Liverpool will tell you the same.

“At the time I wasn’t playing so there was no way I could commit and no way they could ask me to.”

Crouch will wait until Liverpool get the last game of the season out of the way at Tottenham before seeking clarification from Benitez that he is not seen as a bit-part player.

“What I must do is speak to the manager. When all is said and done, I don’t think I can have another season like this year where I’ve started nine Premier League games.

“I have to find out what he wants from me for next season and whether or not I can continue with that.

“In some ways I want to feel wanted. I’ve got a few questions I want to ask him, and I’m sure he has with me too.

“So I’d like to speak to the manager and the club before I commit to anything and know whether or not I’ll be here next year.”

Crouch has plenty of admirers waiting for news of his future, with Aston Villa and Portsmouth said to be heading the queue, but the England man insists he is yet to speak to Harry Redknapp about a return to his former employers.

“It’s always nice to know that if things did go completely wrong for me at Liverpool, I’d have options to go somewhere else and it’s not the end of the world if things don’t work out for me here.

“I’ve not heard from Portsmouth whether they want me or not – certainly not contract talks. I’ve not spoken to them about any money.”

http://www.setantasports.com/en/Sport/News/Football/2008/05/07/Prem-Crouch-on-no-contract/?facets/sport-space/football/ireland-locale/

[Elvoz]

i like crouchy but he is not in rafa plans - plain to see - he will go with a pat on the back and will always get a good reception

[Elvoz]

I smell Tesco small club fans

he is too good to go there pal

[JPK]

The above report misses this bit:

Two different reports Was just posting it.

[dww]

Not normally one to raise this sort of thing but does this situation sound like the type of 'communication issues' Rafa was talking about earlier in the season?

[Elvoz]

There were a few issues when he played there last, were there not?

rafa is the boss not stevie - players should play where they are told

[BubbaZanetti]

he is too good to go there pal

I was referring to you - you have the wit of an Evertonian ie none

[Elvoz]

I was referring to you - you have the wit of an Evertonian ie none

really
call me many things but not a bitter kid

[Dalglish]

How easily Crouch forgets that 3 years ago he was a journeymanstriker with no prospects.

[Elvoz]

How easily Crouch forgets that 3 years ago he was a journeymanstriker with no prospects.

not sure he does

he would love to stay with us

he is basically having his hand forced

[Shaggy]

How easily Crouch forgets that 3 years ago he was a journeymanstriker with no prospects.

....in the England squad.