Peter Crouch set to make a return to South Coast

Jul 5 2008 by Richard Williamson, Liverpool Daily Post

Peter Crouch

PETER CROUCH is set to return to former club Portsmouth this weekend in a deal that could eventually rise to £11million.

The Liverpool striker, whose contract at Anfield was due to run out next summer, is expected to complete the switch back to the South Coast club in the next few days for an initial fee of £8.75million. But that could be rise to £11m depending on a number of incentives written into the deal.

The 27-year-old England international scored 42 goals in 135 appearances following his £7m move to Anfield from Southampton in 2005. But after his appearances became limited last season following Fernando Torres’s arrival at Anfield, he has decided to move on and link up again with Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp.

The switch will provide Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez with more funds to press ahead with his own moves in the transfer market.

As Crouch departs Anfield defender Philipp Degen arrived at Melwood for his first training session yesterday – and immediately set his sights on breaking into the first team and helping Liverpool mount a sustained challenge for the Premier League title.

The Swiss defender admits he has a battle on his hands just to get into the team after his Bosman move from Borussia Dortmund, but has highlighted consistency as a key component, both personally and for the team, in a successful season.

With Steve Finnan and Alvaro Arbeloa vying for the full-back’s berth, the 25-year-old is under no illusions about the size of the task ahead of him.

“They are very good players and it will be difficult but I am ready for the challenge and look forward to breaking into the first team soon,” he declared as he joined in training for the first time.

“The move is a challenge for me because Liverpool are not just any club. They play every year for the title and the Champions League so it is clear to me that it's not easy to get through to the team.