Rafa admits golden goals make replacing Crouch a tall order

PETER CROUCH was warned by Rafael Benitez recently that he had to prove himself all over again as a Liverpool player.

It may have come as quite a shock to the gangling striker after returning from the World Cup established in England’s squad.

But he has responded with a winning goal against Chelsea in the Community Shield and the header that has ensured Liverpool’s progress into the Champions League group stages.

They were priceless strikes and were exactly what manager Benitez wants from the player as he continues to rebuild his squad.

The Spaniard has spent £16 million on Craig Bellamy and Dirk Kuyt — who should make his debut against West Ham at Anfield on Saturday — while Robbie Fowler is still around and Luis Garcia offers a clever attacking option.

Garcia should have had a hat-trick in the Champions League third qualifying round second-leg win over Maccabi Haifa in Kiev on Tuesday, when a 1-1 draw secured a 3-2 aggregate victory.

Benitez said: “Peter has done well this season, he has produced two very important goals for us at crucial times.

“We now have so many more options up front. Peter can play alongside Bellamy, or with Luis Garcia in behind or on his own with two wingers.

“Like everyone, last season some players were ensured of a pretty regular place. That is no longer the case because we have two players now for every position, and plenty of forward options.”

Now Benitez can relax just a little with Europe on the highest level assured for the third season of his command.

Liverpool will be installed in the top group of seeds, ensuring they have two supposedly “easier” sides to compete against and a better chance of reaching the last 16 after Christmas.

He said: “This is an important competition for the club and the players. And they know that if they want to play in it they have to perform to their best and to work hard. That is what happens when you sign new players and progress as a squad.

“Haifa made it very difficult for us, their goalkeeper was fantastic and man of the match. We created a lot of very good chances and should have scored more than we did.”

Haifa goalkeeper Nir Davidovitch was outstanding in the first leg at Anfield too.

When Benitez was manager of Valencia, Davidovitch produced a similarly heroic performance at the Mestalla to earn Haifa a 0-0 draw in the UEFA Cup before they went out 4-0 after the second game.

Benitez said: “Their keeper was brilliant again, it seems to happen against my sides.”