Crouch told he will only get bit-part at Liverpool

Crouch has started only one Premier League game this season and was given just 19 minutes as a replacement to try to influence another disappointing Liverpool afternoon.

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The England forward's presence coincided with his team's best spell of the game as Liverpool came close to scoring on a handful of occasions in the closing stages.

But Benitez refused to accept that Crouch had made the difference and reflected the 26-year-old may have to become used to life as a substitute.

"Maybe that's right," said Benitez, when the point was put to him. "Some players are like that.

"Some players, when they play for 20 minutes, are more important for the team that way.

"We did better towards the end but perhaps there were three reasons.

"Harry Kewell was on, Blackburn were getting tired and then there was Crouch, too. So there were three things together."

Benitez's assessment, which can't be faulted for honesty, will disappoint Crouch and the 8,000 Liverpool fans who called for his introduction long before he was told to take his tracksuit off.

His impact was profound, freeing Steven Gerrard from his role as second striker to Dirk Kuyt and giving Liverpool proper shape.

Crouch himself had a header cleared off the line, Gerrard went close with two left-foot shots, while the willing but out-of-sorts Kuyt fluffed two opportunities.

Blackburn, who had more than matched Liverpool until the last 20 minutes, had reason to feel relieved at the end.

Left back Stephen Warnock, once of Liverpool, said: "They brought on quality players in Kewell and Crouch and they changed the game.

"It made it more difficult for us. They went more direct with Crouch and it seemed to suit them.

"Crouchie is a great player. He's one of those that almost any team would love to have in their starting line-up. But they seem to use him in a different way and the manager there seems to think that works for him.

"But he's a real asset when he comes on and it must be frustrating for him when he's not starting."

Liverpool watchers will point out Crouch has been poor when given starts this season — in the Premier League and in Europe — and that is a view Benitez shares.

But in the absence of the injured Fernando Torres, it seems baffling he has not been given another chance.

Liverpool were moderate until late in the game as Benitez's tactics once again suffocated his team.

With two defensive midfielders in his line-up — Javier Mascherano and Momo Sissoko — Benitez was asking much of Gerrard, Ryan Babel and Yossi Benayoun. Only Gerrard delivered.

On this evidence, Liverpool would be nothing without their captain.

Blackburn, watched by their biggest crowd for five years, could have been in front at half-time.

David Bentley struck the post early on and David Dunn thundered a left-foot volley against the underside of the bar.

Mark Hughes' team could also have had a penalty when a shot from Andre Ooijer appeared to strike Jamie Carragher's arm in the second half and Blackburn will head to Manchester United next Sunday in good heart.

Hughes said: "We have played three of the top four now and haven't lost to any of them, so I am very pleased.

"Teams come here to nullify us — that is what Liverpool have done — and that's a mark of how far we have come.

"We have done OK so far but injuries will be key to us as the season goes on.

"Teams like Liverpool have big squads and that can make the difference."

BLACKBURN (4-4-2): Friedel 8; Ooijer 7, Samba 7, Nelsen 7, Warnock 7; Bentley 8, Emerton 7, Dunn 7 (Tugay 56min, 6), Pedersen 7; McCarthy 7 (Derbyshire 88), Santa Cruz 7.

LIVERPOOL (4-4-1-1): Reina 7; Finnan 7, Hyypia 7, Carragher 7, Riise 7; Benayoun 6 (Crouch 71, 8), Mascherano 7, Sissoko 6, Babel 6 (Kewell 63, 7); Gerrard 9; Kuyt 6. Booked: Carragher.

Man of the match: Steven Gerrard.

Referee: Martin Atkinson.