Thursday, April 12, 2007

Champions League Reaction: Crouch Reflects On Job Done

Liverpool's match-winner Peter Crouch agreed that the Reds' quarter-final second-leg victory over 10-man PSV Eindhoven was not a Champions League classic.
The Premiership side were already three up from the first leg, and most observers - including, possibly, PSV themselves - seemed to regard the second-leg as no more than a formality.
But Crouch's second-half goal ensured that Liverpool won both legs with a 4-0 aggregate to set up a semi-final showdown with Chelsea."I don't think it was much of a spectacle but we did a job, got the result," Crouch told Sky Sports."We did most of the work in the first leg obviously and it was just a case of seeing it out today, and that's what we did well."It was a strange game. All the lads were up for it. If it had stayed 0-0, I'm sure you would've seen more urgency."Regarding his own contribution, Crouch admitted he was thrilled with his recent form. He said: "I've been pleased with my form in the Champions League. It's a fantastic competition."Hopefully I can keep that run going."Ironically, the semi-final will pit Crouch and his Liverpool team-mates against the side he supported as a boy - Chelsea.The England striker said: "It's going to be a special occasion. We've had that tie before and hopefully we'll have the same outcome."He added: "My dad will be pleased. It's local for him as well so it'll be a special occasion for myself, my family and everyone connected with Liverpool."I won the FA Cup last year and hopefully can go one better this year."Meanwhile, Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez praised his team's professionalism."We knew that it would be difficult because the mentality of the players when you are controlling the game, you don't concede any chances and you be more relaxed."Of Crouch, Benitez said: "Now he has the confidence all strikers need."I hope he can keep scoring goals until the end of the season."Looking ahead to the Chelsea clash, Benitez added: "We know it will be really difficult because Chelsea are a very good team."But we know that if we play to our level, we can beat them."And he feels it may be "a little bit" of an advantage to be playing the first leg at Stamford Bridge.But he warned: "Chelsea are a good team playing away now, as you could see the other day against Valencia."

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