Peter Crouch: We're well on the ball

Aug 1 2007 Liverpool Daily Post

Peter Crouch celebrates after scoring the opening goal of the game during of the UEFA Champions League quarter-final second leg match against PSV Eindhoven - Picture PETER BYRNE/PA (158)

PETER CROUCH has revealed the shift in emphasis for Liverpool's pre-season preparations this summer.

The fitness work has taken more of a back seat this year as manager Rafael Benitez concentrates mainly on the footballing side of the training in an attempt to help the new players get used to his team's style Crouch, who is hoping to get the nod to play up front against former club Aston Villa on the opening day of the season a week on Saturday, said: "It's been hard like any pre-season but with a lot more ball work.

"Last year there was an emphasis on physical work but this year we've been doing a lot more on team shape and helping the new players fit in." Last year's opening game was a 1-1 draw at Sheffield United and Liverpool lost their next five on the road to virtually finish their hopes of challenging for the title.

And Crouch knows fears of a similar run of wretched away form need to be quickly nipped in the bud. "We need to be right at it from the first Premier League game," he added.