Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp admits they're getting the benefit from Peter Crouch's time with Liverpool.

In his column for The Sun, Redknapp wrote: "I should probably thank Rafa Benitez for making Peter Crouch the player he is today.

"We play Liverpool on Sunday and Crouchie's time with the club put him on a different level.

"He'd already had spells at Spurs, Portsmouth and Villa - where he was even sent out on loan to Norwich after failing to get regular games.

"Then I took him to Southampton to replace James Beattie. But moving to Anfield from Southampton was the making of him.

"No disrespect to Southampton and Villa but he stepped up a level there, eventually achieving the sort of form that got him established in the England team.

"Typical of this his first hat-trick for Liverpool against Arsenal - one from a header, one from his right foot and one from his left. It showed what an all-round player he had become.

"At the time a lot of people thought it was a strange signing by Liverpool because he was a bit of an unsung player. But now supporters appreciate his talent.

"I'm sure he and Fernando Torres would have made a great partnership up front. But when Rafa signed Torres, Crouchie decided to move on and join me back at Portsmouth.

"But if you ask him, he would be the first to admit that playing in front of the Kop at Anfield is a massive part of his career.

"I've always liked him, which is why I wanted him at Spurs. He's a fantastic professional."