Is it about time Liverpool cashed in on Peter Crouch or is he still a big part of Rafa’ future?

FFC columnist Amro Hassan looks into the transfer speculation that surrounds Peter Crouch and wonders if a move away from Anfield would be a step down in his career.

It seems with every given week speculation surrounds Peter Crouch with a move away from Anfield. Should he stay or should he go? It is a subject that has been highly debated on Merseyside but it is clear judging by reports over the weekend that the striker has no intention of leaving in January let alone the summer.

Peter Crouch is one of the main victims it seems of Rafa' rotation policy who considers the player very much an impact substitute but it begs the question how a player of his quality would be satisfied with a place on the bench? Surely the England man should move on where he is more or less guaranteed a start?

There are plenty of Liverpool fans I have spoken to of late about this Peter Crouch debate and it is clear they are very much split on the matter. Some feel that Crouch should be patient and content, others feel the England man should be partnering Torres upfront, while there are those who agree with Rafa' standpoint that he is a great addition coming from the bench.

Talking from a pure England fan point of view which might differ from the Liverpool faithful, Crouch is currently one of very few strikers available for England that always delivers for the national side. With Fabio Capello set to start the job next week, you kind of thought that Crouch may need to get regular football in order to cement his place in the Italian's plans. Is Crouch jeopardising his England place languishing on Liverpool's bench?

Rafa Benitez of course has an embarrassment of riches up front with Torres, Kuyt, Babel and Vorinin, so Crouch seems very much at the back end of the queue. I personally cannot see why Torres and Crouch can't play together. I think they'll compliment each other well with the England man's guile and Torres floating in behind him. Rafa clearly doesn't seem to think so.

Has Peter Crouch recent statement have anything to do with the standoff between Rafa Benitez and the American owners? Knowing Rafa has been told he may have to sell before he can buy, is the England man, knowing he would be one of the victims of the cull, playing hard ball or is Crouch simply contented at this great football club and sees a move away being a step down?

Peter Crouch will be 27 at the end of next month and as a player fast approaching his peak, you would expect the demand for first team football would be much the greater. There would certainly be no shortage of takers if Liverpool were to sell but if the player doesn't want to leave it is immaterial. Crouch stated that a move away from Anfield would be a step backwards and you would be hard pressed to disagree. David Fairclough gained notoriety at Anfield as an impact substitute, maybe Crouch if he stays will do the same.

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