ASK CROUCHIE
Peter Crouch answers your questions on all things Liverpool in his weekly column
WOULD YOU GET A GAME FOR THIS LIVERPOOL TEAM AND HOW MANY GOALS WOULD YOU SCORE? GAVIN LEE VIA TWITTER
I WOULDN’T get a game, Gavin. I can say that without any fear of contradiction. This Liverpool side have been magnificent and the front three are arguably the best in the world.
If I was going to do anything for them, it would be the Divock Origi role — coming off the bench to make an impact.
Do you know what? It would suit me. I look at Origi and admire how he bides his time, but is always ready for action when called on.
He’s scored goals that will ensure he is remembered for ever and when you sign for Liverpool as a striker, that is all you want to do.
I do dream of what it must be like to have Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane flying down each wing, with me waiting in the middle.
I was at my best when I had pace all around me and it would be an absolute joy to have 90 minutes with them.
If anything happens to Roberto Firmino, I’m right here, Jurgen!
IF YOU HAD A VOTE FOR FOOTBALLER OF THE YEAR, WHO WOULD GET IT? OLIVER JAMES VIA EMAIL
IT’S got to be a Liverpool player, Oliver. I love Kevin De Bruyne, but how could someone from Liverpool not win it after the season they have had?
Jordan Henderson would have an outstanding chance and, if he ended up being chosen, I wouldn’t argue.
I remember when he signed for Liverpool, it felt as if he was lucky to be there. But now, really, they are lucky to have him. He took over the captaincy from a legend, did things his own way and now has the trophies to go with it.
But my pick would be Salah. It might sound boring but I look at it this way — he has now outstripped Fernando Torres and Luis Suarez, he scores in all the big games and he has been integral for Klopp.
We shouldn’t be immune to his greatness. He is on a completely different level.
YOU CAN ONLY HAVE ONE MATCH ON DVD TO SHOW YOUR GRANDCHILDREN. WHICH ONE? STEVEN IVES VIA EMAIL
WELL, I want my grandchildren to think I was a good player, so I am going to choose the game when everything went right for me. I scored the perfect hat- trick for Liverpool against Arsenal in March 2007, with a right-foot strike, a header and then one with my left. I came up against William Gallas and Sol Campbell, but every touch was right, every pass or lay- off reached its target and I took every chance that came my way.
Gallas and Campbell were brilliant but they never got near me.
So, yes, I’ll have that video, but if it’s OK with you, the DVD will have two chapters on it and will also include the hat- trick I scored for England against Jamaica before the World Cup in 2006. My grandkids are going to know all about that England team and I want them to know I did my bit.
WHAT SORT OF DIFFERENCE DOES AN INSPIRATIONAL MANAGER MAKE AND HOW MANY POINTS HAS KLOPP BEEN WORTH? MICHAEL FITZHARRIS VIA EMAIL
I WENT to Melwood last December to do some work for BT Sport. It was primarily to do an interview with Jurgen, but before I saw him, I spoke to a number of his players: Andy
AT WHAT POINT DID YOU THINK LIVERPOOL WOULD WIN THE TITLE? JAZIZ 1989 VIA TWITTER?
YOU probably wouldn’t pick this game out, Jaziz, but I got the feeling last September following a 1-0 win at Sheffield United. They really didn’t play well in what was a lunchtime kick- off. The goal Gini Wijnaldum scored was very fortunate and Sheffield United caused them lots of problems. But Liverpool found a way to win. They hadn’t found their stride at that time, but once it all started to click for them — and they began to blow teams away, including Manchester City at Anfield — I knew they wouldn’t be caught. They have been relentless for two years. Last season was extraordinary, getting 97 points and only losing once, yet still not winning the title. The difference between the two teams this time around has been the defences. Liverpool stayed strong in the difficult moments. City not so much.
Robertson, James Milner and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain all said the same thing. What you see is what you get.
There were some managers during my career who knew how to play the press.
They would have a persona off camera that was nothing like the one they tried to portray in the media.
But Jurgen looks to be the best manager you could play for — truthful and straight.
I know Jamie Carragher once said Sir Alex Ferguson (right) was worth 10-15 points a year to his Manchester United teams, but I couldn’t put a figure on what Klopp has given Liverpool.
The best way to phrase it is that they have 86 points from a possible 93 and those numbers don’t flatter them.
WHICH FOOTBALLER’S GOLF SWING DO YOU MOST ENVY? JACK COWBURN VIA EMAIL
OH JACK, that’s not easy. I know the great former Ukraine striker Andriy Shevchenko (below) is very handy. He lived close to Wentworth when he was at Chelsea and he played there most days.
He has a single-figure handicap but I have only heard stories about how good he is — I need to see him in action.
There are a lot of good golfers among the footballers. Simon Davies, who used to play for Tottenham, Everton and Wales, is now off something ridiculous like plus two.
We all know how much Gareth Bale likes 18 holes and Harry Kane does too, but hand on heart, I’d take my colleague Jamie Redknapp’s swing.
Jamie is never off the course and plays easily off single figures. He hasn’t got a bad style to mimic.
WHAT WAS THE MOST DANGEROUS TACKLE YOU WERE ON THE END OF? KEVIN FLOWER VIA EMAIL
I WAS playing for Aston Villa reserves against Everton at the Bescot Stadium in Walsall. I went for a tackle with David Weir, but he timed it wrong and I could see that it was going to be a bad impact.
He got me just above the ankle and left a five-inch gash down my shin. When I lay on the floor, it was the only time in my career I genuinely dreaded looking to see what damage had been done. I expected to see my foot facing in the wrong direction.
Fortunately, that wasn’t the case. I should make it clear that there was no malice on David’s behalf and he probably doesn’t even remember it.
I’ve got a permanent reminder in the form of a scar, but it was just one of those things. Bad tackles happen.
WHO IS YOUR TIP TO WIN THE FA CUP? JAMES MCKAY VIA TWITTER
THE best game is in Newcastle. Obviously, Manchester City are favourites to go through, but I really hope the home team win and I would love Steve Bruce to lift a trophy this season. He has done an excellent job in the hardest possible circumstances and it’s just a pity that Newcastle won’t have a full-house roaring them on. If you think the celebrations in Liverpool were huge this week, imagine what it would be like if Newcastle win a trophy? Until next time, stay safe.
I FANCIED REDS TO DO IT AFTER WIJNALDUM WINNER IN SEPTEMBER