Liverpool FC

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Rafa sad to see Crouch leave

09 Jul 2008 - 07:41:10

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Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has admitted he will be sad to see England international Peter Crouch leave Anfield and move to Portsmouth.

The 27-year-old is on the verge of sealing his switch to Fratton Park after the two clubs agreed a reported £11million transfer fee for the striker.

Benitez said: "He is a good professional and a nice person, and we would have wanted him to stay. We offered him a new contract.

"But sometimes you have to understand the player. He wanted to play a lot more, and with Fernando Torres now first choice, that was always going to be difficult.

"I can understand Peter's situation. But he did very well for this club and we always supported him when people doubted the decision to bring him to Anfield.

"We have Torres, Andriy Voronin, Dirk Kuyt, Ryan Babel and Steven Gerrard, who can play as a second striker.

"But we will try to bring in another option. Villa is a player we know all about and he is on our list. But maybe it will be difficult."

Crouch has scored 42 games for the Reds in 93 starts and 41 appearances from the substitute's bench.