Will Saturday offer Peter Crouch the chance to save his Anfield career?
Regardless of rumours of contract talks and whatnot, I for one fully expect Peter Crouch to be strutting his lanky stuff somewhere else next season.
With first-team opportunities as rare as an Everton trophy, even if Rafa wanted to keep Peter beyond the summer, I can't see the big man accepting another year of bit-part football. If, as many expect, Rafa's going to bring in another striker as a potential replacement for Voronin or, even, Dirk Kuyt, you can be sure it will be another man with pace and power to fit into the 4-2-3-1 Rafa seems to have finally settled upon. And that could well be the final straw for Crouchy.
With a lot more than one eye on next Tuesday's second leg, I'd expect Rafa to rest his key players - that should mean a rest for Fernando, Carragher and even probably Stevie G.
With Voronin short on match-fitness and Dirk unlikely to lead the line, all fingers point towards Crouch to take his place in the team.
With fourth placed still far from assured and further Champions League glory to chase, I can't see too many chances like Saturday's for Peter to force his way into Rafa's thinking - or even into the minds of potential suitors.
It'll be far from easy for the big man to impress, though, as Arsenal's Premier League interest is sure to mean a strong side going hell for leather for three points.
Crouch would do well to draw confidence from his hat-trick against the Gunners last season. It'll probably take a performance of similar measure to assure him of a place at Anfield next year.
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