Crouch blows golden chance from penalty spot
THE VICTORIES are stacking up — four in succession now without a goal conceded — and momentum is growing. But there is a hole in an otherwise positive Liverpool landscape that can only be filled when Peter Crouch locates the net.
His golden opportunity to end a long- running saga that now shows 15 appearances in red, without a single strike to his name, arrived yesterday after 22 minutes. He will always walk tall, of course, but a penalty award offered the England striker the chance to really strut this stage.
As Crouch composed himself the Kop roared its encouragement, while those housed in the other three sides of the ground held their breath. The moment proved too much and a weak attempt was comfortably saved, as were Crouch’s blushes when Bolo Zenden, who had won the decision when his attempt to bypass Andy Griffin was blocked, followed up to place a downward header into the net.
Rafa Benitez mixed praise and sympathy for his £7 million summer capture afterwards, saying it was a “ shame” that Crouch had not grasped the gift against his former club. “I’d like to see him take a penalty in the next game,” the Liverpool manager said. “ If we are 2-0 ahead, then he can take it. It will be better for my heart.” Benitez can afford to make light of the situation as Liverpool raised their tally of goals to 10 in four games.
Contrast that with the despair gripping Portsmouth, lacking ambition until it was too late, as their plight deepens and speculation about the future security of manager Alain Perrin intensifies.
Perrin claimed afterwards that it was not his concern, but owner Milan Mandaric is not known for his patience and with Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham to come and with only two wins so far this season, there is considerable doubt whether Perrin will make it to Christmas.
Zenden’s goal coincided with Fernando Morientes’ arrival for Luis Garcia, which meant all three Liverpool strikers were involved, each of whom has some way to go to convince the Anfield worshippers of their worth. And with the substitute and Djibril Cisse claiming the other goals, Crouch’s continuing omission from the scoresheet becomes even more pertinent.
In between Cisse’s chipped effort, which was meant as a cross, and Morientes’ late prod from close range, several opportunities came Crouch’s way. He was unlucky with his first attempt of the day, a strong header from Steven Gerrard’s corner that drew an instinctive stop from Jamie Ashdown, but when the 55thminute found him running clear on goal he should have done better than aim straight at the goalkeeper again.
To be fair, Morientes converted a chance provided when Crouch had headed back from the far post. Perhaps that is how he is destined to be remembered at Anfield: the goal- maker rather than goaltaker.