Benitez shows more interest in Crouch

transfer
By J Wade
June 5 2005

Sources in the North West insist Euro kings Liverpool would be prepared to offer Saints around £5m for their 16-goal top scorer and instantly quadruple his salary.

It was initially thought that Benitez would target Feyenoord striker Dirk Kuyt ahead of Crouch.

But, having now earned Champions League riches, he could afford both of them with Milan Baros set to be sold, leaving Djibril Cisse and Fernando Morientes as his most experienced forwards.

Benitez sees Crouch, or a player of his style, as vital as he plans a crack at the Premiership title.

The Liverpool boss is known to be keen to change his team's style of play away from home after a poor record last season.

Crouch was the scorer of one of two goals that Southampton scored against Liverpool at St Marys.

Crouch yesterday spoke of his international future concerns if he stays in the Championship while boss Harry Redknapp asked him to stay at St Mary's until at least the January transfer window.