Before Liverpool's game against Blackburn had kicked off, it was plain for everyone to see, Peter Crouch needed to start. In the three previous games he had come on and put in strong performances, with Steven Gerrard benefiting particularly from his presence in the form a direct assist and a significant involvement in the build- up to a goal (Besiktas and Cardiff respectively).

When Crouch was signed in 2005, Rafa Benitez stated that he was bought in to provide more hold-up play in away games. I actually feel that Crouch is just as effective in home games when the opposition are playing a deep back line. His aerial presence often leads teams to push up more, creating space for other faster players. But surely on Rafa’s rationale, this was exactly the sort of game that he signed Crouch for.

For the 70 minutes or so before Crouch was brought on there was absolutely no ball retention from the attacking third; almost every time a ball was played forward it was lost, and pressure would be put back on the Liverpool midfield and defence. Benitez’s stubborness in refusing to forgive Crouch for his comments in the media earlier this season was clearly indicated with his omission until late on.

'Benitez’s stubborness in refusing to forgive Crouch for his comments in the media earlier this season was the reason for his omission until late on'


This has also been evident in previous games. When Fernando Torres has been unavailable, Benitez has played Andriy Vorinin and Dirk Kuyt as his first-choice strikers even though, as a pairing, they have not worked. Although as individuals they are good players, as a pair they have created little for each other or the team, with both players obviously requiring someone more dynamic playing alongside them.

Benitez has also denied that the team’s transformation after 70 minutes was solely because of Crouch and perhaps also because of Blackburn’s tired legs and the introduction of Harry Kewell. Whilst Kewell was good, it was perhaps because he had someone to aim for and to bring him into play, whilst on the pitch Yossi Benayoun and Ryan Babel did not; they may also have played better when Crouch came on.

Benitez’s talk of Crouch being an impact player, and hinting at this being his future role, is questionable. He was correct in suggesting that Crouch changed the game, but surely it would be better to put him on from the beginning where he could hold the ball up and keep possession, and then perhaps be subbed late on if he is proving ineffectual.

Several times this season, most notably against Birmingham, Benitez has waited until late in the game before introducing Crouch. By this time the opposition have brought on more defensive cover (in the Birmingham game, they ended up with eight defenders on the pitch), making it much harder to score. Above all, last season all of Crouch’s goals were scored when he started a game, none of them were from substitute appearances.

After the Blackburn game several players have been singled out for the team’s poor performance. John Arne Riise, Mohamed Sissoko and Kuyt have been criticised by another writer on this website, and it is true, they have not been playing well. However if we do not win the league this year, it is not necessarily because these players were in the squad or team.

For example, Manchester United won the league last year with Wes Brown, John O’Shea and Darren Fletcher in the team, Chelsea won it before that with a (then) poor Didier Drogba, Asier del Horno and Geremi, and the year before that with Tiago. The league leaders this season, Arsenal have Bacary Sagna, Aleksandr Hleb and Manuel Almunia in their starting 11.  These players do not need to be sold, but they need to be used differently.

The problems this season have been a result of the tactics, with player positioning as well as team mentality both being issues.

Kuyt has largely played behind the striker, effectively played there to win possession. He was quiet for the first 70 minutes, and Rafa should acknowledge this and never play him as a lone striker again, but with Crouch on he came alive and had enough good chances for a hat-trick.

Riise is a player with very obvious technical limitations. People have also questioned his worth as a defender. When played as a left-winger Riise is ineffectual. His crossing is poor, he does not go past players to stretch a game, his passing in advanced positions on the pitch is inaccurate, and to compensate for this he regularly shoots (off target) from distance. I feel when played as a left-back he can do an adequate job; Liverpool have conceded very few goals recently that Riise was at fault for and the technical side of his game is less exposed.

Since the Blackburn game Benitez has said in the media that not winning in Europe this week would not be a disaster. This is only true if Liverpool improve in the league. This season would be considered a massive failure if Liverpool were not to progress in the league, and to go out of Europe in the group stages.

Their current league position however is certainly not a disaster. If Liverpool win their game in hand they are only three points behind Manchester United, but the team needs to start turning draws into wins immediately.  If Crouch had come on and been ineffectual, the situation would not be so frustrating, the fact that there was such a contrast has prompted even a hardened Benitez proponent like myself to write in, and has left most Liverpool fans pulling their hair out.  For Liverpool to progress, Benitez needs to leave out the politics when making team selections.

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