Frustrated Crouch stays put
17 Sep 2007 - 09:15:04
Liverpool's England striker Peter Crouch has admitted to being frustrated by Reds boss Rafa Benitez's rotation policy.
The 26-year-old made his first league start of the campaign in the goalless draw at Portsmouth at the weekend, having dropped down the pecking order following the big-money summer arrival of Spain ace Fernando Torres.
He told The Sun: "It has been frustrating. Every footballer wants to play and the manager has told me it's not possible to be involved in every game.
"We have four strikers and the manager says if he feels one player will cause more problems than another in a specific game, he will pick him.
"But obviously Fernando Torres is more likely to play than the rest of us after the club paid so much money for him.
"Fernando has settled in straight away and proved what a top striker he is. Now it's up to me to do the same when I get my chance.
"You have to expect rotation. It can be frustrating at times, but I fully understand the manager's thinking and, if called upon, I must make sure I'm ready.
"I might not be playing every week, but I'll still get a good amount of games, so I'm happy at Liverpool."