Benitez backing Crouch for England
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez believes striker Peter Crouch has done his chances of playing a vital role in England’s chase for World Cup qualification no harm after his performance in last night’s Champions League victory over Real Betis.
Crouch, the 6ft 7in frontman, was being watched by England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson, and his display in the 2-1 Group G win was praised by Benitez.
Eriksson has expressed his desire to use Crouch – who played the first hour - in the forthcoming England matches against Austria and Poland while Benitez has been waiting for the £7m (€10.5m) man to recover from a hamstring injury.
Benitez said: “Peter Crouch played very well in the first half, he has done his England chances no harm.
“Sven knows he is a good target man, he keeps possession well for us and allows us to play our football much higher up the park rather than in defence.”
Benitez also revealed he left out his skipper Steven Gerrard because he felt the midfielder was tired.
The Anfield boss surprised almost everyone in the stadium by consigning Gerrard to the substitutes’ bench and only bringing him on in the final 19 minutes of a tense match.
Gerrard had played two big internationals for England against Wales and Northern Ireland in the last fortnight, as well as Saturday’s league game at Spurs.
There are already fears he will be over-used by club and country this season in the build-up to the World Cup finals and Benitez is already choosing the matches his captain plays in.
Benitez said: “We tried to protect Steven, there were a few players in the same condition. I felt we needed fresh legs for a very difficult match.
“Some people were tired, including Steven, and we needed to rest players for this match.”
Benitez also left Steve Finnan, Stephen Warnock and Djibril Cisse on the bench, all of whom had been involved in international squads of late.
But it was a gamble that paid off for Benitez, who said: “We must use all of our squad to compete in the very top competitions.”
Liverpool were two goals ahead in 14 minutes, but were forced into a rearguard action for most of the second period.
“We controlled the first half, but the second period was a problem,” added Benitez. “In fact, when I brought Cisse on for Peter Crouch it changed the game. He had pace and fresh legs and they had to defend against him and always be aware.
“In the end we finished the stronger side after a difficult spell. Earlier we had controlled the situation and had a very clear idea of when and how we would break.
“It was very important that we started this group with a win. Betis are a good side on their own ground, with a very strong support, and if they are able to get forward and attack they will cause other teams in this group many problems.
“I am always thinking only of winning, whatever game, and that includes our next match at home to Chelsea in this group.”
