SEPTEMBER 12
Crouch confident the goals
will start flowing soon
By David Prior - Daily Post Staff
Peter Crouch believes it is only a matter of time
before he hits the goal trail at Anfield after finding
only frustration at
White Hart Lane.
The striker finally made his Premiership debut at
Tottenham and showed glimpses of the kind of threat that
Rafael Benitez had in mind when he paid £7million for
the 6ft7in man in the summer.
Crouch even had a goal disallowed in an engrossing
goalless draw against Martin Jol's expensively assembled
side, four of whom were making their debut on Saturday.
And the former Southampton frontman is adamant that now
he's over the hamstring injury and suspension that
sidelined him for the early part of the season, he can
soon repay Benitez's faith in him.
"As I get sharper and more fit, there's a lot more to
come from me," he said.. "The manager has brought me in
with away from home in mind in particular.
"Last year we were losing balls quite a bit and my role
is to play higher up the pitch, keep the ball and bring
others into play. Away from home that's a big asset to
have.
"We've got players in the team who can score goals, but
first of all we've got to defend well and once we've
done that I'm sure the goals will fly in.
"The more games we play I think the better it will be. I
know my role here and the manager has got a lot of faith
in me.
"I believe that once I get a few games under my belt,
the partnership with Djibril or whoever will blossom and
I'm sure it will work okay."
Crouch was disappointed to see his goal ruled out, the
assistant referee adjudging Steven Gerrard's corner to
have gone out of play mid-flight.
"I was told the ball went out of play which was
frustrating because obviously it was nice to see it fly
in. But it wasn't to be," added Crouch.
"I think it went reasonably well today. It's a difficult
place to come and they're a good side - I think they'll
do things this year. In the end, we're pleased with a
point."
With Fernando Morientes out injured, Benitez used Crouch
as part of a two-man attack with Djibril Cisse, and the
England international believes he can develop a good
understanding with the Frenchman.
"It was only our first game, but he's a good player and
it works well because we've got different strengths," he
said. "I can hold it up and bring others into play,
while he can use his pace in behind. I think it will
work well.
"I'm settled in now and the lads have all been great.
It'll be good to have a run of games now and really get
my career going. Our league form last year was not good
enough for this club and we all know that I think."
SEPTEMBER 10
Rafa chasing cutting edge
By Mark Kendall - Sky Sports
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez admitted his side needed
to find more cutting edge after their goalless draw at
Tottenham.
Both sides saw goals disallowed, with Peter Crouch and
Grzegorz Rasiak the men left disappointed, but Benitez
conceded his side looked somewhat toothless in the final
third.
"We have three clean sheets and we are better than last
season in terms of defence but we need to improve in
terms of attack," he stated.
However, he was adamant that the failure to bring in
Michael Owen would not prove costly.
"If we score three goals next week, then everything will
change," he continued.
"In football, it's easy to talk but it's better to wait.
"Everything can change. At this moment, I'm very happy
with the players I have."
German midfielder Dietmar Hamann was forced off at half
time in the game after taking a blow to the head, but
Benitez is hopeful he will be ready for the midweek UEFA
Champions League clash with Real Betis.
"I think he will be okay but he got a blow on the head
and was a bit dazed," Benitez added.
SEPTEMBER 10
Jol pushes Carrick claims
By Mark Kendall - Sky Sports
Tottenham boss Martin Jol heaped praise on midfielder
Michael Carrick after the goalless draw with Liverpool.
Jol backed the former West Ham star to earn a call-up to
the England squad for next month's crucial World Cup
qualifiers after an eye-catching display in front of
watching Three Lions chief Sven Goran Eriksson at White
Hart lane.
"Michael Carrick mastered the whole midfield, he was
outstanding," claimed Jol.
"I think he deserves it [a place in the England side].
"He's doing very well for us and has always been
appreciated as a big talent.
"Maybe it's better to keep his feet on the ground,
rather than praising him all the time, but he always
plays a big part."
Jol also reserved a special mention for Polish striker
Grzegorz Rasiak who hit the crossbar and saw a goal
ruled out on his Spurs debut.
"Rasiak had played two internationals in four days but
said he felt good. If he gets crosses in, he will score
goals," he added.
SEPTEMBER 10
Exciting match
ended goalless
BBC Sport Online
Spurs debutant Gregor Rasiak and Liverpool's Peter
Crouch both had goals disallowed as an exciting match at
White Hart Lane ended goalless.
Rasiak's header from a corner was ruled out as the ball
had gone out of play and Crouch had a similar effort
disallowed for the same reason.
Rasiak was also unlucky when his header hit the top of
the crossbar after an Edgar Davids strike had been
parried.
John Arne Riise also hit the crossbar with fierce volley
from 20 yards.
Spurs took time to work their way into the match but had
the best of the early chances.
Jermain Defoe curled a shot across goal just wide before
the Reds cleared after relieved keeper Pepe Reina missed
an awkward cross from the lively Tottenham striker.
The game opened up into an entertaining spectacle as
each side pressed for goal.
A scramble in the Liverpool six-yard box ended with the
visitors' defence clearing a Ledley King shot.
Crouch then headed over for Liverpool but Spurs were
almost rewarded for their efforts with the opener.
A powerful 25-yard Davids free-kick was only parried by
Reina and Rasiak headed the rebound on top of the
crossbar.
Liverpool stormed out of the blocks in the second half
as Luis Garcia had a shot blocked by King before Spurs
keeper Paul Robinson did well to parry a long-range
Djibril Cisse strike.
A 20-yard Riise piledriver looked goalbound but hit the
underside of the crossbar and bounced to safety.
Shooting from distance was proving a popular tactic and
Spurs midfielder Carrick was next to have a go with
Reina again saving.
The home side thought they had scored when Rasiak headed
in from a Carrick corner but his effort was disallowed
as the cross had gone out of play before it reached him.
In a bizarre twist, the same happened at the other end
with Crouch's header from Steven Gerrard's corner being
ruled out as each side settled for a point.
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