Crouch riding high with team-mates' backing

Support for goal-shy Peter Crouch is still rock solid at Liverpool, with fellow striker Djibril Cisse claiming he knows just how the England man feels.

Crouch has now gone 19 hours 45 minutes since his last senior goal – which was for Southampton against Crystal Palace on May 7 – in a spell which includes four England matches and 15 for Liverpool.

It is 1,185 minutes in all and it is doing nothing for the 24-year-old’s peace of mind.

But Cisse offered his support by recalling a time at Auxerre when he experienced a similar, if not so long, goal drought.

Cisse will be more than happy for Crouch to have another go from the penalty spot against Real Betis tonight in the Champions League at Anfield, despite an embarrassing miss against Portsmouth on Saturday.

He says: “If Peter wants to take another penalty, that’s okay. I really want him to score, I know this position is hard.

“I do take penalties but if he wants it he can have it. But maybe the boss will have the final say on that.

“I have had similar runs, maybe not 15, not that long, but eight or nine when I was with Auxerre.

“That was harder for me because the fans whistled and booed me. The fans at Liverpool are trying so much to help him, that makes it not as difficult when the fans are against you.

“It is hard but you have to be strong and confident. You know you will score, never have a doubt, and it will happen.”

Cisse, referring to his fluke goal in the 3-0 win against Pompey, added: “I am scoring with crosses without trying but football is strange, one day it will be the other way around.”

Crouch will certainly be involved tonight when Liverpool need a draw to reach the last 16, and captain Steven Gerrard has added his support.

“Peter is playing really well, the boys love him and he is a fantastic signing,” he said.

“He’s brilliant around the changing room and is a great lad, he is working really hard for the team and playing well.

“The only thing that is missing is a goal. We know if we keep giving him the service, the goals will come.”

Manager Rafael Benitez admits he is talking to and encouraging Crouch every day.

He said: “Peter’s confidence is okay. He knows he is playing well and he needs to score but I am happy with his overall performances. He wanted to score, he wanted the penalty on Saturday and that showed he has confidence.

“If Jamie Carragher scores 15 and Peter none this season, as long as we win, I will be happy.

“I talk to Peter every day and tell him if he plays well and works hard he will have my support, then it is only time before he scores.

“It was good for his team-mates to give Peter his penalty chance. It also showed he had confidence to want to take it.

“He doesn’t lack confidence. Sometimes you see players who hide when they are not scoring or playing well, Peter never hides and always wants the ball.”

Liverpool will give late fitness tests to Luis Garcia (hip) and Xabi Alonso (knee) before deciding on their team to face La Liga’s second from bottom club.

Benitez is not fooled by that lowly position however, saying: “They have beaten Chelsea, they are a good team.

“It is not normal for Betis to be in the bottom two of La Liga, I think that is because they are under so much pressure because of the Champions League.

“They have some important players injured, and they are worried now about their league position. In Europe there is not that worry.”