An ode to Peter Crouch at Liverpool: From ridicule to Anfield favourite

You’d be hard pressed to find many football fans who don’t have fond memories when they hear the name Peter Crouch.

When asked what he would have been if he didn’t become a footballer, Crouch famously replied: “A virgin.”

A self-deprecating player who often talked disparagingly of his own ability, Crouch resonated with fans. He loved the game, he played for the badge, and most of all he had fun doing so.

The 6ft 7in striker may not have looked much like a footballer, but you don’t score 100 Premier League goals without possessing a bit of ability. He wasn’t just a good lad, he was a bloody good player too.

And, like for every other club he played for, Crouch did not take long to endear himself to Liverpool fans – despite starting his career at Anfield with a pretty worrying goal drought.

And once Crouch got into full flow and did start scoring, he was a tremendous asset for the Reds. His career at Liverpool may not have spanned the length of some of their all-time great strikers, but he certainly provided some memorable moments in his three years at the club.

The phrase ‘good touch for a big man’ was never more relevant than when applied to Crouch. A priceless asset due to his towering height, Crouch was also extremely gifted technically, evidenced by some of the audacious goals he scored in a Liverpool shirt.

But it wasn’t all plain sailing in his time on Merseyside, with 19 games and four months passing before Crouch opened his account for Rafael Benitez’s side. His all-round play ensured his place in the team, but that all-important first goal continued to elude him.

Strikers often say they just need a lucky break during such runs, and Crouch certainly got that when finally getting off the mark against Paul Jewell’s