So we should be too!
(Well, he wouldn't say the opposite would he?)
Dont' call me SPECIALRafa: 'Don't call me Special One' Friday May 27 2005 Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez may have repeated Jose Mourinho's feat in winning the Champions League but he has none of his arrogance. Mourinho arrived at...
As a first-half substitute with Rafael Benitez opting to pair Steven Gerrard and Dietmar Hamann together in during the opening period, Alonso was perfectly placed to judge Crouch's first 45 minutes in a Liverpool shirt and the Spanish international was clearly impressed.
Zidanethe yesterday, could Just have a look at how many of those players the other...
"I thought Peter did very well," he told liverpoolfc.tv. "He's only been here with the rest of the squad for a couple of days but I thought he linked up really well with the players chosen to start the game. He might have scored a couple in the box when Djibril Cisse crossed the ball in from the right and he also had a good shot from outside the box. It was also his run into the box that helped set up the goal for Luis Garcia.
"I think a lot of people think because of his height, he's only a target man but he's got a good touch and it's obvious he's got a lot of skill. Last season we were guilty of giving the ball away too often - particularly away from home - and maybe Crouch can help us keep possession a bit more further up the pitch. When a good player joins the club, it gives everyone a lift and the more good players you have, the better you have to play to earn a place in the team. That's got to be a good thing for Liverpool Football Club."
While the Reds have notched up an impressive five wins out of five games this summer, scoring 17 goals along the way, Alonso believes Tuesday's 2nd Round Champions League Qualifier against FBK Kaunas will provide the team with their toughest test yet of this pre-season campaign.
"I don't personally know too much about Kaunas but the management have done their homework and we will be well prepared in time for Tuesday. I expect it will be our hardest match of the summer so far as I've played against Lithuania with the Spanish national side and they're a good team."
Xabi Alonso says giant striker Peter Crouch can be the answer to Liverpool's poor form away from Anfield. The 6ft 7ins 24-year-old made his Reds debut in the 4-3 friendly win over Olympiakos on Saturday.
"A lot of people think because of his height, he's only a target man but he's got a good touch," said Alonso.
"Last season we were guilty of giving the ball away too often, particularly away, and maybe Crouch can help us keep possession a bit more."
Alonso said he was impressed by Crouch against Olympiakos.
"He's only been here with the rest of the squad for a couple of days but I thought he linked up really well with the players chosen to start the game," he said.
"He might have scored a couple in the box when Djibril Cisse crossed the ball in from the right and he also had a good shot from outside the box. It was also his run into the box that helped set up the goal for Luis (Garcia).
"When a good player joins the club, it gives everyone a lift and the more good players you have, the better you have to play to earn a place in the team."
