Benitez hints at Crouch exit from Liverpool

The striker can expect a recall to the starting line-up at the Emirates today but only after a broad hint from Benitez that top scorer Fernando Torres will be rested ahead of Tuesday's Champions League return with Arsenal.

Torres looks certain to be withdrawn from the firing line after 10 successive appearances and Benitez inadvertently highlighted how Crouch has become a peripheral figure as he assessed the alternatives and said: 'Maybe this could turn out to be an opportunity for the likes of Peter.'

Crouch, 27, has been confined to the bench since Liverpool's FA Cup humiliation at the hands of Barnsley in February and will be on his way in the summer if Benitez is given the go-ahead to continue next season.

Though it suits the Liverpool manager to have an established England striker as cover, he will reluctantly grant Crouch's wish to leave, if only to prevent him going for nothing when his contract expires in just over a year.

The mounting uncertainty has alerted a number of clubs at home and abroad, with Manchester City, Portsmouth and Newcastle likely to lead the chase.

City manager Sven Goran Eriksson is in the market for more firepower, Portsmouth's Harry Redknapp admires the giant striker and Kevin Keegan is planning a massive transfer turnover in the summer.

As Benitez considered his options for the second of three games with Arsenal, he made it clear there would be changes and admitted Dirk Kuyt is now in front of Crouch.

'When you play three high tempo games in seven days against a side as good as Arsenal, you know you're going to have to change players,' he said.

'We have a few players with knocks, and Torres was tired after Wednesday. We will have to look at fitness levels and decide who has fresh legs to give us the quality we need on Saturday, but this could be a chance for the likes of Crouch.

'We still have something to play for in the Premier League because we want to qualify for the Champions League again next season, and we go into the game with confidence after Kuyt's equaliser the other night.

'He is the kind of player any manager would want in his team. He is amazing. He has a high work-rate, can score goals and does a fantastic job for the team.'

Liverpool have appealed against Javier Mascherano's additional two-match ban for dissent towards referee Steve Bennett and hope to have it reduced to one game.

With Arsenal trailing Manchester United by six points in the Premier League, and with a trip to Old Trafford to come on Sunday week, manager Arsene Wenger admitted defeat by Liverpool would end his side's hopes of the title.

He said: 'We are now in the final sprint which will define and decide our season. I will pick a team who can win the game against Liverpool. I feel we have a good chance in the championship and do not want to miss that.

'Some people say it is over but I do believe United will drop points — they play four times away from home. We have to win all our games. Five wins is a minimum and a draw, but that means we would have to win at Old Trafford. Six wins would be better.'