Liverpool forward Peter Crouch said that coach Rafael Benitez has every right to field Fernando Torres as his first choice upfront, given the "fantastic" form of the Spaniard this season. Crouch has only managed seven starts this season with Benitez choosing to field only one out-and-out striker. "Obviously if the manager plays one up front, he is more than likely to go with Fernando - and rightly so, he's been fantastic this season," Crouch was quoted as saying by the Guardian on Monday. "Before when he was rotating at least I was getting a game here and there. But the manager's obviously stuck with a formation now that seems to be working, and credit to the players that have been playing in that system." The 27-year-old, who scored Liverpool's goal in the 1-1 Premiership draw over the weekend, also made it clear that he was not happy with his current situation. "I would love to stay, it is a fantastic club and I love everything about it, but I have got to be realistic," said the England international.
Torres "If I want to have any aspirations of playing for England, or furthering my career, then I have to be playing - and that doesn't seem to be the case at the moment." The former Southampton ace made it clear he will not give up on trying to convince Benitez to play with two strikers. "For me, I will just have to obviously keep working hard and try and change his mind," he said. "It can be disheartening, but you have to keep going." The lanky striker, who has been offered a new contract by the Mereyside club, has played for Liverpool since 2005, scoring 40 goals in 132 games. He also scored 14 goals in 26 international appearances with England. Have your say: Should Benitez field two strikers to accomodate Crouch?