Paul Rogers 05 November 2005 Rafael Benitez has once again reiterated his support for Peter Crouch and insisted that despite the lack of goals, Liverpool's improvement this season is as much down to the former Southampton striker as it is to any other player. "It has been difficult for Peter," explains Benitez. "When you do not score people talk only of goals, goals, goals but he has also been playing well, and he is confident he will start scoring too.
"I have said to Peter that I will always support him if he is training and playing well. I have analysed the statistics and he doesn't lose much possession and gives options to the other strikers and midfielders.
"Last season we lost a lot of away games, but Peter gives us a different style of football in such matches and we know that will help us, particularly in away games.
"What is more important is team consistency, we must keep on winning and then I will be happy."
With Liverpool set to face the club's top scorer last season in Milan Baros, Benitez knows there will be some who question the wisdom in selling the Czech striker and replacing him with Crouch, but the Reds boss is 100% sure he made the right decision.
"Milan is a good player, and if he does play it will be more difficult for us. I hope he scores a lot of goals, but only after this week. As for us since he left, I am happy with the strikers. Cisse is scoring goals, Morientes has now started to score goals and Crouch is playing well. I think we have enough good players in attack.
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"I have talked to the players about our performances this season and asked them to think about how we were last season. We have more clean sheets, we are stronger in defence, we are playing better and we are controlling much more of games. We are also playing better football.
"Fernando has played well and scored now, but he can play much better. He is working towards a better physical condition to win more balls in the air, and he has more confidence now.
"When I asked my players to remember last season, maybe Peter should also remember how many goals he scored for Southampton. But the most important thing is that he works for the team, that has meant that Morientes and Cisse have been able to score. That is my only concern."
Jay -- LIVERPOOL FC - KINGS OF EUROPE MANCHE$TER BUCCANEERS & BLUEpooE - KINGS OF COMEDY
