Crouch celebrates in style

Striker Peter Crouch, who celebrated his 26th birthday with a goal in Liverpool’s 2-1 win at West Ham, has urged the Reds to maintain their current form and hope their title rivals drop points.

Dirk Kuyt and Crouch scored the goals at Upton Park as West Ham failed to find the spark to breathe life into their relegation battle.

Kuyt stunned the hosts with a spectacular strike 10 seconds into the second half and Crouch then celebrated his birthday by finding the top corner and sealing the points before Kepa Blanco’s consolation.

Rafael Benitez’s side are now two points behind second-placed Chelsea and Crouch told Sky Sports: “It was obviously always going to be tough against West Ham who are fighting for their lives. But it was important we got the result and scoring capped it off for me.

“Things weren’t going for us in the first half. In the second half it clicked with Dirk scoring so early and it settled us down.”

Asked whether Liverpool could overtake Chelsea and catch Manchester United Crouch added: “It’s going to be difficult. But we’ve said before we’ve got to keep this run going and hope the top two slip up.”