Rafael Benitez remains confident that Peter Crouch will sign a new contract at Liverpool.

The England striker has been offered a new long-term deal at Anfield, but the player has revealed his reservations about whether he has a future at the club.

Crouch has started less than 10 league games this season and is becoming increasingly frustrated at being an almost ever-present on the bench.

"Peter Crouch is a very good professional," Benitez told Liverpool's official website.

"That is the reason why we offered him a new contract.

"I have confidence he will sign. The player wants to. At the moment, we are playing with only one striker, but we can play with two. It is not a problem.

"If you are in a team which wins trophies and you know you can be an important part of that squad.

"I know he is happy here and that he wants to play. But that is football. We have offered the contract and we need to wait."

Crouch has just 18 months left on his current contract.