PETER CROUCH has slammed Rafa Benitez for dropping him for the Champions League final in 2007.
Liverpool faced AC Milan in Athens – a repeat of the famous final two years earlier in Istanbul.
This time round the Italian giants came out on top, winning 2-1 thanks to goals from Filippo Inzaghi, with Dirk Kuyt replying for the Reds.
Crouch, 42, only came on as sub as manager Benitez made the controversial call not to start a recognised striker, also leaving out Craig Bellamy.
Crouch had impressed during the Champions League campaign, having scored seven goals in 14 appearances in the competition and started the majority of games.
The former England international believes that if he had started Liverpool would have won, and also aimed a subtle dig at Benitez.
READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
Speaking to Paddy Power as the star of their ‘Life with More Chances’ TV ad, Crouch said: “If I could change any moment in my life, it would probably be a football-related one.
“There will always be the games that got away in any footballer’s career, but for me it was the Champions League Final in 2007 with Liverpool against AC Milan.
“If I could replay one game, it would probably be that because we lost.
“I’d be sitting in front of you today as a Champions League winner instead of a Champions League finalist.
Most read in Football
FREE BETS – BEST BETTING OFFERS AND BONUSES NEW CUSTOMERS
“I played every game up until the final, and then I didn’t start. So, I’d start the game and we’d have won the game.
“That is what I would change.”
Liverpool made a change to their options up front in the following transfer window as Bellamy was sold to West Ham.
This allowed Atletico Madrid star Fernando Torres to be brought to Anfield.
And Crouch left Liverpool for Portsmouth in the summer of 2008.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
