Crouch eyes derby revenge

Liverpool striker Peter Crouch is determined to gain revenge on Everton this weekend.

Everton humbled Liverpool earlier in the season with a 3-0 win at Goodison Park.

The Reds play host to Everton on Saturday afternoon and Crouch is determined that Liverpool maintain their good recent run of form against their neighbours.

"At the start of the season, they had the edge on us and a lot of players in the dressing room, especially the local lads, want to get their own back," said Crouch.

"Last year, we managed to win both derby games in my first season. And to score in a Merseyside derby was a great feeling and everyone let you know about it.

"And certainly Everton let us know about it when they won. Hopefully, we'll be able to return that scoreline."

Crouch is also refusing to give up on Liverpool's title challenge, despite sitting 11 points behind leaders Manchester United.

"It's getting closer, although obviously we have to bank on the top two slipping up to catch them," added Crouch.

"We have to concentrate on our own job and just try to close that gap if we can.

"It's going to take a lot for them to lose three games and for us to close that gap. But we'll keep plugging away and whatever happens will take care of itself.

"Straight after beating Chelsea a couple of weeks ago, the manager said: 'Don't get carried away because we have games to win'.

"Winning against Chelsea was a great feeling, but West Ham was our next game.

"And he just said the same again in the dressing room afterwards - make it the same again for Saturday. We'll just keep going and, as the manager says, try to win as many games as we can. But we won't be getting carried away.

"We've been on good runs before. I think, last year, we went on an extremely good run and came close to finishing second.

"This year, we hopefully can do the same and hope that the teams above us drop points.

"If we'd have picked up more points earlier in the season, then we'd be right in amongst it now. It's frustrating.

"I wouldn't say there is more pressure, but certainly we're enjoying it more being closer to the top."