Rafael Benitez’s vendetta against Peter Crouch continues apace with newspaper reports claiming that he plans to sell the striker in January.

This may just be typical press speculation, but it’s probably true, given the sheer volume of news agencies carrying the same story.

There is no excuse for Benitez's shoddy treatment of Crouch this season. No player can expect to walk straight into the team, but Crouch’s incrementally increasing goals tally merits, at the very least, a fair crack of the whip. Instead, Crouch has been dumped on the scrapheap and Benitez has basically cut off his nose to spite his face.

'Crouch has been dumped on the scrapheap and Benitez has basically cut off his nose to spite his face'


Quite simply, Benitez has fatally mismanaged Crouch, and the statistics (of which Benitez is so fond) prove that. Below is a summary of Crouch’s measurable impact on the team for season 2006/07:

PREMIERSHIP:
a) 19 starts. 13 as a sub (Total: 32 games).
b) 9 goals and 8 assists in 32 games.
c) Directly responsible for 17 goals in 19 starts (A goal every 1.1 games).
d) Directly responsible for 17 goals in 32 games overall. (A goal every 1.8 games).

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE:
a) 8 starts. 6 as a substitute (Total: 14 games).
b) 7 goals in 8 starts (A goal every 1.1 games).
c) 7 goals in 14 games overall  (A goal every 2 games).

COMMUNITY SHIELD/FA CUP/CARLING CUP:
a) 3 games started. 2 goals scored.

DOMESTIC TOTALS FOR 2006/07:
a) A total of 49 games played (30 starts. 19 sub appearances).
b) Contributed 18 goals and 9 assists.
c) Direct involvement in 27 goals.
d) 18 goals from 30 starts (A goal every 1.6 games).
e) 7 assists from 30 starts
f) Direct involvement in 27 goals from 49 games (start and sub).
g) This amounts to contributing to a goal every 1.8 games.

The most compelling statistic is this:

All of Crouch’s goals (18) and 7 of his assists came in only 30 domestic starts, which means he was directly responsible for 25 goals in 30 starts.

That is almost scoring or creating a goal every game. But this is not good enough for Benitez. If any other striker in the world had that kind of average, they’d be praised and encouraged, instead of ignored and dumped on the sidelines. If anything can be gleaned from his stats last season it is this: Start Crouch and he will score or create a goal for you.

The fact the Crouch scores more goals when he starts can also be seen this season, with Crouch scoring three  goals in four Champions League starts and no goals in two premiership starts and four sub appearances.

Benitez should have built on Crouch’s massive progress last season and allowed him to blossom. Instead, he has developed some kind of personal vendetta against the player, and proceeded to trample on his confidence at every opportunity.

So why has Crouch become an outcast on the verge of being sold? If you believe the press, it’s because of some kind of attitude problem. Indeed, John Edwards in the Daily Mail stated: “The Liverpool manager believes Crouch's status as an England player has turned his head, to the detriment of the work ethic that made him such a valuable team player” .

There is absolutely no evidence to back this accusation up; it is vicious slander designed to twist the minds of fans and hasten Crouch’s exit from Anfield. The reason Crouch is on Benitez’s blacklist has nothing to do with his ability and everything to do with his tame public comments about the rotation policy earlier in the season:  “There are times when it can be frustrating, but I fully understand the manager’s thinking and when called upon, I just have to make sure I am ready. Hopefully I can play a few more games than I have been doing, but I’m not too frustrated".

Hardly a damaging rebuke. However, Benitez wasted no time publicly responding with: "It is fair to say that he [Peter Crouch] has to evolve with the team - and show the right character and mentality".

Show the right character and mentality?! What a joke and insult to the player. That is *exactly* what Crouch has been doing ever since his arrival at Liverpool. Indeed, he has been a superb professional. It is Benitez’s pig-headed stubbornness which is the problem here. Basically, if you criticize his rotation policy, you are out.

Incidentally, Momo Sissoko also made public comments recently about Benitez’s incessant rotation and guess what – Sissoko is also linked with a move away in January. Coincidence? I think not.

As the statistics above prove, there is no logical or acceptable reason for Liverpool to sell Peter Crouch. Dirk Kuyt is the striker who should be sold. Kuyt’s statistics and goal threat pale in comparison to Crouch, and this season, his limitations have been cruelly exposed.

If Benitez sells Crouch, it will be one of his worst managerial decisions, and will once again expose the Houllieresque irrational stubbornness that will eventually be his downfall.