Crouch wants crunch talks at Liverpool

England striker Peter Crouch is to meet with Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez to discuss whether or not he has a future at the club.

Crouch has started just nine Premier League games this season since the arrival of Fernando Torres from Spain and there has been consistent transfer speculation swirling around him.

Three years into his spell at Liverpool Crouch told the Daily Mirror: “When all is said and done, I don't think I can have another season like this year where I've started nine Premier League games. Out of a 38-game league season, nine games is not the amount you want to be playing.

“I'll have to speak to the manager and see what his plans are. I need to see him and sort things out. I have to find out what he wants from me next season and whether or not I can continue with that. In some ways, I want to feel wanted.

“So I'd like to speak to the manager and the club before I commit to anything and know whether or not I'll be here next year.”

Benitez has said that Crouch was offered a new deal midway through this season but the player insisted contract talks amounted to an informal “five-minute chat”.