Liverpool set to swap Josemi for Kromkamp

DUTCH international Jan Kromkamp is poised to become Liverpool’s first January signing after terms of an exchange deal were agreed with Spanish side Villarreal.

The 25-year-old, who is comfortable both in midfield and at right-back, will move to Anfield as Josemi heads in the opposite direction.

Kromkamp has yet to discuss personal terms, but a statement from his club last night announced: “Villarreal have reached an agreement with Liverpool for the transfer of Dutch defender Jan Kromkamp to the English team and the arrival of Josemi. The agreement is between the clubs and lacks only the agreement of both players.”

Josemi, 26, was Rafael Benitez’s first signing as Liverpool boss when he arrived from Malaga, but he struggled to break into the first team and has also been troubled by injury.

Dutch international Kromkamp, who signed for Villarreal from AZ Alkmaar at the start of the season, is unhappy at El Madrigal.

Kromkamp has been asked to be allowed to leave the club on loan in the New Year to boost his prospects of being in Holland’s World Cup squad.

Meanwhile, striker Peter Crouch believes he has proved his character after breezing through Everton’s defence to grab the first goal in Wednesday’s 3-1 win over Liverpool’s bitterest rivals.

With Liverpool now having won nine consecutive league games, Crouch said: “That one was the sweetest goal of all.

“We all knew what this game meant to the supporters in this part of the world, so for me to get the first goal gave me a great buzz because I knew it was so crucial.

“My confidence is really high and that’s natural when you’re in the goals. When my chance came I had no hesitation in putting it away. It feels even better because it’s helped us to a good win in very difficult circumstances. It’s never easy to win a derby.”

Now Crouch insists Liverpool can maintain their current momentum and continue the pursuit of Chelsea in the new year.

“It does deflate us a little bit when we come off the pitch and find out they have sneaked another win, but our main focus has been our own form.

“We go out there to win every week and we’ve been succeeding. A lot of other teams around us dropped points on Wednesday night which is to our advantage.

“If you start thinking too far ahead you can get complacent. I’m sure if we keep playing as we are, we’ll be there or thereabouts at the end of the season.

“We’re doing our job superbly. I’m not surprised how quickly we’ve put ourselves in this position.

I don’t think anyone should be surprised when you look at what Liverpool achieved last year by winning the Champions League. If you do that then you’re no mugs.”

If Liverpool make it 10 consecutive league wins on Saturday at home to West Brom it will be their best sequence since Bob Paisley’s side won 11 on the way to the title in 1982.