Goals just a matter of time Crouch FLBuild: Fidolook 2002 SL 6.0.2800.94 542005 11:39:16

Goals just a matter of time - Crouch

Sep 20 2005

By Ian Doyle, Daily Post

PETER CROUCH is confident the goals will soon flow for Liverpool - as he dismissed the notion of Rafael Benitez's side becoming a long-ball team.

Liverpool have struggled to find the target in the Premiership this season, with Sunday's goalless draw with Manchester United meaning they have yet to score from open play in the league this season.

While they have found goals easy to come by in European competition, their only top-flight strike of the campaign has been Xabi Alonso's free-kick winner against Sunder-land at Anfield last month.

Crouch has yet to break his goalscoring duck since his £7million transfer from Southampton this summer.

But the striker believes it is only a matter of time before Benitez's men re-discover their scoring touch in the Premiership.

"It's been a little bit frustrating, but the goals will come," said Crouch. "If you look on the plus side, we are defending as a unit and looking really solid.

"We're working for each other and keeping clean sheets. I'm sure the goals will come and that it will only be a matter of time.

"We've had difficult games. Away from home, you want to win, but playing against the likes of Tottenham, who have spent well and look like a force, and United is hard. At least we have not lost yet."

Manchester United supporters taunted Liverpool throughout the weekend's dismal goalless draw at Anfield, branding them "Wimbledon" due to the home side's over-reliance use of the long ball to Crouch.

But the 6ft 7ins target man has laughed off any suggestions that Liverpool are in danger of becoming a one-dimensional team.

"United fans are always going to take the mick, but we don't play like that," he insisted. "We know we have got good players who can pbutt it.

"If players like Xabi Alonso and Steven Gerrard can get on the ball, we can be as fluent as anyone, but we can mix it up as well.

"Sometimes you need to hit a long ball and see what happens and I can think we can do both well.

"I think maybe we were a touch deep at times, which was a bit frustrating. It worked really well away at Betis, and that shows there's no problem.

"They will come and I think there's enough quality in the side to get goals. If the manager feels that's the best way to play, that's fair enough.

"It seems to be working and nobody felt there was a problem after the Real Betis game last week. Obviously we've drawn a blank against United, but I'm sure once we score a few goals, they will start flying in."

Of Sunday's game, Crouch added: "We're slightly disappointed we didn't win because at home we are looking for three points. It's no dis-grace to get a draw against United because they are a big threat.

"I think both sides wanted to win the game and at the end of the day, a draw was probably a fair result.

"It was one of those games and I'm sure we will go on and get three points next time. But our own standards are higher now and we feel we could have taken three points."

Liverpool's continuing failure in front of goal means they are already 12 points behind leaders Chelsea, albeit with two games in hand.

Nevertheless, Crouch is convinced the Anfield side will improve on last season's Premiership showing, when they finished 37 points behind the Stamford Bridge side.

"I'm sure there are a lot of teams we can beat," he said. "We can push ourselves and close the gap on Chelsea, who are running away with it at the moment.

"We're all trying to catch them at the moment. They are a great side, but I'm sure we can take it on and I'm sure we can close the gap.

"I think there is added pressure on us because we are the Champions League holders, but I don't think that will be a problem.

"We'll be looking towards Birmingham now. We can get a result there and once we get going, we will be a force to be reckoned with."