Rafa - “Crouch’s going nowhere”

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has dismissed reports linking Peter Crouch with a move to Manchester City in the January transfer window.

City owner Thaksin Shinawatra was quoted as saying Sven-Goran Eriksson was interested in signing the England international, who has made only a handful of starts for the Reds so far this term.

Crouch has started only two Premier League games for Benitez’s side this season but the Liverpool boss says the 26-year-old is still part of his future plans.

“We do not want to sell Peter. So there could be rumours in the press but we are really happy with him,” said Benitez.

“The players in a top side know sometimes they will not play every game but you can see how important Peter Crouch is for us.

“The other day he was a key player with Harry Kewell (against Porto) and we do not want to do any movement.

“We want to enjoy and see Crouchie score a lot of goals.

“Always you know Peter in every training session is a very good professional.

“He is always ready if he must play and if he is not playing he is working hard to be ready for the next time.”