Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has explained why they've backed down from their original asking price for Peter Crouch.

Crouch is on his way to Portsmouth this week and Benitez told liverpoolfc.tv: "People need to understand that we have supported Peter from the day he signed and we offered him a new contract (before the summer). But I can understand that he wants to play every week, wants to start every game.

"As a manager you have to understand these situations. Also, a few people in the press were talking about £7million - so then I talked about £15million because I wanted to protect the club. But I know you need to respect the players. So, we have now more or less agreed a transfer fee and now it's just the player talking to Portsmouth and finding a solution."