ON the day after Liverpool won the Champions League, if anyone would have suggested Peter Crouch was on Rafael Benitez's wish list, they'd have been laughed out of Istanbul.
Just a few weeks on though and it looks like the Southampton beanpole is on his way to Anfield - and I have to say I think it is a good signing.
I know people have yet to be convinced, but I believe Crouch would be a signing purely with the Premiership in mind. Liverpool would buy him purely to help them breach the top three clubs, and at domestic level, you can't deny that he is a handful.
Playing for a relegated team, he scored 16 goals last season so there's no reason to believe he wouldn't be able to do that for Liverpool in a team that creates more chances and has more possession.
I'd bet that Benitez has looked at last season when, lest we forget, Liverpool lost 14 games in the league and thought I know how to play in Europe, but I need to change my style domestically.
Of course his options were limited at time last season with Djibril Cisse's injury, Fernando Morientes still settling in and Milan Baros misfiring at times. Now that those three are fit, someone like Crouch gives him another option of a traditional target man.
I always thought Morientes would fulfill that role, but I believe he is more comfortable playing off another striker, as is Cisse. At times, Baros gives the impression he wouldn't notice if Lord Lucan and Father Christmas were his strike partners, but he always does well alongside Jan Koller for the Czech Republic.
Crouch offers more of an aerial threat than Liverpool's other strikers, and in a season when I can see Benitez trying several formations, that is a priceless attribute.
As to whether we will see Crouch linking up with Michael Owen this season, I have my doubts. Obviously if Michael is available, any club would be interested because he virtually guarentees 20 goals a season. He also has a very strong link with Liverpool, meaning any move back would be a comfortable,familiar option.
The first problem though is that Real Madrid have not signed anyone to replace him yet, despite all the talk about Robinho. Secondly they also appear to want a big fee for him, which Liverpool may not have.
Finally, one of the oldest adages in football is that you should never go back. Of course, every rule has an exception - just ask Ian Rush - and you can never say never.
Speaking as a former player, I was delighted to welcome Rushie back and I'd bet Liverpool's current players would say the same about Michael.
He may not be a world class striker but he gives us different options up front. All those who join this great club of ours deserve the chance to prove themselves, including Crouch.
I don't think Crouch will play in every game but when we face the likes of Bolton,Blackburn and other sides who resort to kicking players off the park Crouch will come in useful. He played 12 games less than Baros and he scored more goals than him in a p1ss poor team.
It's pretty clear that Benitez is serious about improving our form in the Premiership. We can play well in Europe but come short in the Premiership. Crouch gives us "possibilities" and I think he will make many eat a lot of humble pies at the end of the season.
His price tag is a bit high for him but lets see if he can prove that he's worth that price. Under Benitez he might be better than he was at Soton and at Aston Villa.
and i take names. You're in my pocket. Shut your mouth. Rest your gums. I own you bitch.''
by