Benitez keen for Crouch stay

Liverpool boss keen for striker to stay at Anfield

By Peter Fraser   Last updated: 5th April 2008

Football Premier League Liverpool Rafa Benitez

Benitez: Crouch praise

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Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez praised the performance of striker Peter Crouch in the 1-1 Premier League draw with Arsenal at Emirates Stadium.

Crouch was making a rare start for the Reds as Benitez rang the changes following Wednesday's UEFA Champions League quarter-final first leg draw and with next week's return meeting at Anfield in mind.

The forward - who is out of contract at the end of next season - took full advantage as he fired Liverpool in front on 42 minutes in North London, but Nicklas Bendtner headed Arsenal back into the contest in the second half to leave honours even.

Despite the draw, Benitez remains keen to praise Crouch - who has been offered a new deal on Merseyside - and insists the England international remains in his plans as a partner for star striker Fernando Torres.

New contract

"Crouch was good," Benitez told Sky Sports 1. "He played really well. We offered him a new contract so we are waiting.

"Sometimes we will play with two (strikers) so we want to keep Crouch."

Meanwhile, Benitez admits he was happy to avoid defeat against the Gunners, but the Spaniard does not believe the result will have any bearing on Tuesday's decisive Champions League meeting.

"I'm just happy because we could lose but we could win," Benitez added.

Positive message

"We had chances and counter-attacks and they had lots of chances as well at the end.

"When you come here with a lot of players not playing every week you must be pleased, but it could have been better.

"We can score. We can create chances but also we can stop them so I think for us it is a positive message."