Peter Crouch scores as Liverpool go 2nd!

3 Dec 2005 Liverpool 3-0 Wigan - EPL

Benitez made two changes to starting 11 against Sunderland in midweek, with Kewell replacing the suspended Sissoko and Warnock taking the place of Riise.

Liverpool:
Reina, Finnan, Hyypia, Carragher, Warnock,
Luis Garcia, Gerrard, Alonso (Hamann 67), Kewell (Riise 62),
Crouch (Cisse 73), Morientes.


Crouch thought he had scored the first goal but his deflected shot from 20-yards was later credited to the Wigan keeper. The ball took a wicked deflection off Latics skipper Arjan De Zeeuw, beating keeper Mike Pollitt as he desperately back-peddled while palming the ball into his own net. But there were no doubts about Crouch's next effort on 42th minute, when he superbly lifted the ball over the keeper to double the lead. And Garcia chested in from Morientes' header to make the final score 3-0.

Crouch ended his 24-hour long goal drought in style as Liverpool earned their 6th league win in a row. The win extended the Reds winning run to six games, and was also another clean sheet and moved them up into second place in the table!

Match reactions:

Crouch: "I had a big slice of luck with the first one obviously. It was on target but went a bit higher than I planned. If it goes to the dubious goals committee I'll be telling them that it's definitely mine.

"I am a buoyant person by nature but if I'm honest this goal drought as been getting me down at times. I've been getting a bit of stick lately but it's great to get the goals today and hopefully I can go on from here and score more.

"It was a good team performance and great to get the three points today. We are up to second now and playing well. The defence has kept another clean sheet and that makes our life easier up front. All of this give us confidence and bodes well for the future."

Crouch has been playing really well but strikers are still expected to score. I was really happy for him and you could tell how happy his teammates were. Now he can just get on with his job with confidence and I'm sure that'll lead to better performances, more goals and a secure spot in the England squad for the World Cup.