Liverpool are lining up a shock return for Portsmouth striker Peter Crouch.

The Daily Star says Liverpool have emerged as shock contenders to take Crouch back to Anfield in a £12m deal.

The England hitman was thought to be heading to Tottenham after he spurned Sunderland approaches.

But Kop boss Rafa Benitez has the 28-year-old striker on his radar and has asked to be kept informed with Liverpool currently on tour in Thailand.