Benitez vouches for Crouch ahead of crucial double-header

LIVERPOOL boss Rafael Benitez has insisted he has no intention of selling Peter Crouch and bringing Valencia target man David Villa to Anfield in the January transfer window.

Crouch has been the subject of heightened transfer speculation since failing to take his chances during his side’s 1-0 defeat to Blackburn at Ewood Park on St Stephen’s Day.

But ahead of today’s Barclays Premiership trip to Tottenham, Benitez dismissed rumours of Villa’s imminent arrival and said Crouch remained an integral part of his plans.