Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez remains cagey over Peter Crouch's future at Anfield.
"I always use the example of Vladimir Smicer. He was not in the team and only on the bench in Istanbul.
"But he was always ready and he came on to score a very important goal in that final with AC Milan.
"The same thing happened for Peter Crouch when he played well and scored at Arsenal in the league. It meant he played against Arsenal in the Champions League later that week.
"He is fit, and yes there is a contract issue. But if he scores goals and plays well then the whole thing will be easier to resolve in the long term."
