Crouch booboys do not understand football: Rafa
But the Liverpool chief admitted he has had a heart-to-heart with the 6ft 7in Anfield striker after his ordeal at the hands of England supporters this week.
Crouch was booed and jeered in both internationals against Austria and Poland, and Benitez said: "I have talked to Peter and said that if he works hard for his team then he doesn't need to worry what other supporters say. You play for Liverpool, you do not play for anyone else.
"Crouch is a good player. If you know about football you will understand. You can say you do not like Crouch but that means you do not know a lot about football."
Crouch will start against Blackburn at Anfield, and Benitez revealed that Djibril Cisse - who is unhappy at not being a first team regular - could also start the match.
Benitez has been forced to ask for an explanation from Cisse for his remarks, and told the Frenchman to knuckle down and score goals for the Anfield club.
On Crouch, Benitez said: "When we decided to sign Crouch some people said he was not good enough for Liverpool, others said he wasn't good enough to play in Europe.
"But after his performance against Real Betis people said how good he was. Then after playing for us in the Premiership people said he was good, and the same thing after he had played for England.
"All the professionals know he is a very good player, and in terms of what supporters think, the only thing that concerns me is our fans and what they think. They like him, and if he plays well for us he will always have my support.
He added: "I have talked with him after the England situation, I have asked him whether he is still confident and he says yes. I will always support him because the most important thing is my club, not other supporters.
"Sure, it is important for us that he scores. But how many chances does he create for others, how many assists?
"He has created goals for us. For us he is a very important player and Michael Owen can say the same for England."
On Cisse's complaints, made while he was on international duty with France, Benitez said: "He is the only player who has been selected for every squad this season.
"I understand when players are not in the team they are frustrated, but they have to be ready when they are selected.
"And always you must think of your team-mates and be respectful, everyone wants to play but there are only 11 places. It is down to me and I know he understands."
He added: "Cisse has been fine since he returned, I do not like problems with players and I prefer them to train hard and work with their colleagues. I have talked to him about what I have seen written and he assures me he is focused.
"I told him that if he scores goals it is good for him and good for me. The only thing I care about is to win, and the most important thing is the club. We can win with one player or another, I do not care, only that we win. He will be ready and there is no problem between us.
"All the players want to play, that is normal. But it is me who has the responsibility of who plays. At the moment he is the only player I have who has been in every squad that I have announced this season, I feel he can play a lot of games for us."
Benitez will have Fernando Morientes back in the squad against Mark Hughes' side, the Spanish hitman having recovered from a hamstring injury sustained on international duty.
But as one star returns, another is out. Skipper Steven Gerrard will miss the Blackburn match and the Champions League game with Anderlecht on Tuesday because of a shin muscle injury picked up while playing for England, but should be back next weekend at Fulham.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
