Liverpool & Peter Crouch - time to split?

Peter Crouch can't stop scoring but can't get into the team

Is there an unluckier player around than Peter Crouch? He scored again yesterday, for the second succesive game, and is likely to be on the bench come Tuesday against Chelsea.

Of all Benitez's signings that don't get a regular game eg Pennant, Benayoun, Voronin etc, Crouch is surely the most puzzling admission. Before he discovered his present system, Benitez was laughably at times playing Kuyt and Voronin together upfront, giving Livepool the most imobile and one-paced front line they'd had in years! Plus you can count the goals they've scored on the fingers of one hand! Crouch's scoring record is generally pretty good.

Whenever he plays, he generally gets goals. He might not be a thirty goal a season man, but he is easily capable of 20, with the same number of assists. Liverpool would clearly be in a better position, if they'd used Crouch more this season - just five more goals from 12 more starts could well have put us 10 more points better off. Not quite title challenging stuff, given Manchester Uniteds form, but we'd have been in the race post Christmas at least!

It now seems certain Peter Crouch will leave Liverpool this summer, as all the media briefings etc are pointing that way. If Crouch does go it will be a shame, and someone else's real gain. Unless we are spending another 20 million on a striker he's worth keeping - there's not many around in the Premiership who can get 20 a season.

Come on Rafa Benitez, see sense, keep Peter Crouch at Liverpool!!