Peter Crouch returns?
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Liverpool set to enter bidding for striker Crouch?
Liverpool have emerged as shock contenders to take Peter Crouch back to Anfield in a £12m deal.
Crouch joined Liverpool in 2005.
The 6' 7'' striker spurned Sunderland's approaches and has been linked with moves to Tottenham and Fulham; but Anfield boss Rafa Benitez reportedly has the 28-year-old on his radar according to the Daily Star.
Crouch spent three years at the the club before Benitez sold him to Portsmouth in an £11m deal last year, but the Reds are keen to type up a deal for another striker after being outpriced in their efforts to get David Villa.
Portsmouth boss Paul Hart is already resigned to losing him, despite Sulaiman Al Fahim's takeover of the club but told the Portsmouth News that he was unconcerned by the delay over his move.
He said: ''I don't even think about those things, it's not an intrusion. Peter Crouch is a fantastic kid. He has been training with us, what hardship is that? It isn't, it's just brilliant.
''If it goes on, it goes on. It's absolutely no hardship to us, the longer he stays it's fine, it wouldn't affect us because he's a pleasure to have around the place.''
However, with his transfer pending, Hart has ruled out playing Crouch in the club's pre-season games.
He added: ''It would probably be a little bit silly if l did play him - I don't want to take any risks there.'' -
he has to play 2nd fiddle to torres
but if torres is unfit, crouch can always be used.