[lfc-news] Crouch in goal pledge - Echo

Liverpool Echo, 25 July 2005
Crouch in goal pledge
By Tony Barrett, Liverpool Echo

PETER CROUCH today spoke of his pride at pulling on a Liverpool shirt
for the first time - and pledged to score the goals to take his new club
to yet more glory.

The Reds' new £7m signing enjoyed a promising debut in Liverpool's 4- 3
win over Olympiakos on Saturday, setting up the first goal for Luis
Garcia and proving a constant menace to the Greek defence.

Crouch, who is eligible to play in tomorrow night's Champions League
qualifier against FC Kaunas, said: "To be honest, I was just glad to be
able to wear that famous red jersey for the first time.

"That was a dream come true for me and now I'm just looking forward to
doing it again.

"I would have loved to have scored but that wasn't to be, although I've
been told the goal I had ruled out for offside was actually okay.

"I might have missed out against Olympiakos but hopefully it'll come
against Kaunas if I'm selected."

Crouch admits many still view him simply as a target man but says his
ability with the ball at his feet will come to the fore.

The lanky figure of Peter Crouch makes his presence felt during his
Liverpool debut against Olympiakos

"Because I'm tall people tend to think that I'm only good with my head
but they will see that I can play with my feet as well.

"I like to get the ball down and use it and this should stand me in good
stead at Anfield because I know that's the Liverpool way.

"The run I had for the first goal is as much what I'm about as winning
head-ers. I went on a bit of a mazy one and, to be honest, I wanted to
get a shot away myself but the ball broke to Luis Garcia and he tucked
it away really well."

He added "I have set myself a target for scoring goals like I do every
year but I'll be keeping that to myself.

"But I know that if I score goals and perform well it will help the team."

Rafael Benitez said: "Peter did very well for the first goal and he is a
clever player. He has a good touch and can bring other players into the
game. He knows what we want from him."

Xabi Alonso insisted Crouch's arrival has lifted the squad.

He said: "Last season we were guilty of giving the ball away too often
and maybe Crouch can help us keep possession further up the pitch.

"When a good player joins, 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."

* Jerzy Dudek today vowed to fight for his Liverpool career. Dudek has
found himself down the pecking order since the arrival of Pepe Reina.

"All I am doing is focusing on working hard in training and hoping to be
part of the squad," he said. "But I do not know what will happen."

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