Rafa rules out Crouch exit
22 Dec 2006 - 11:18:49
Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez insists he has no intention of selling Peter Crouch in next month's transfer window.
The Reds have found goals easy to come by recently - netting 11 times in the last three matches - but Crouch has not started any of the games while Craig Bellamy and Dirk Kuyt have emerged as Benitez's' favoured strikeforce.
Crouch's absence from the starting line-up at Anfield has led to rumours circulating that the England international will be allowed to leave next month, but Benitez has scoffed at such suggestions.
"I'm happy with the strikers I have here," he said. "We don't want to sell Peter.
"We are not even thinking about it. We are in four competitions and I want to keep my strikers. I'm happy with Peter.
"When we played with Kuyt and Crouch we were winning five games in a row and people were saying the understanding between them is good.
"Now it's being said about Bellamy and Kuyt. But Robbie Fowler is also a clever player.
"All four are good and they must be ready because we have four games in a few days."
Crouch has scored 22 goals in 73 appearances for Liverpool since his transfer from Southampton 18 months ago.