Peter Crouch

Liverpool have opened new contract talks with Peter Crouch, despite the player having been linked with a move away from Anfield.

The striker's failure to hold down a regular place in Rafa Benitez's side, a situation exacerbated by the arrival of Fernando Torres, has prompted much recent speculation that he may make a move to a Premiership rival, with Manchester City and Portsmouth believed to be interested.

However, the team's manager has revealed that the England international is keen to stay at Liverpool and the club is now looking to tie him down with a new long-term contract.

"We have been talking about a new contract with Crouch and the player has told me that he wants to stay," said Benítez.

"The agent was talking to Rick Parry and said that the player wanted to talk."